Economists estimate extreme poverty could be drastically reduced for a fraction of global defence spending, yet military budgets continue to expand year on year, says JON TRICKETT MP, ahead of the Stop the War International Conference on Saturday
Latest editorial
Legal aid – happy birthday and goodbye?
Established today 70 years ago, legal aid has given the poor protection from the law – now it hangs in the balance, explains LUCY WOOD
Lady Justice
[WilliamCho/Creative Commons]
As Unison launches its Year of Women Workers, ANNIE COGAN-THOMAS argues that stronger organisation and collective bargaining are essential to winning equality
Trade unions, trades councils and community organisations must work together to build lasting solidarity and resistance to the far right, argues DREW GILCHRIST
Recent violence in Belfast was not spontaneous — it was built on years of failure and political neglect, argues STIOFAN O NUALLAIN
As delegates meet in Brighton this week, Unison faces pressing questions about pay, organising, workers’ rights and political representation, explains ANDY CHAFFER
Andy Burnham’s growing stature has fuelled hopes of a Labour revival – but ALAN SIMPSON warns that Britain’s crisis runs far deeper than just its leadership and traces its roots to decades of financialised capitalism
ON July 30 1949 the Legal Aid and Advice Act was passed, adding another pillar to the growing welfare state under Clement Attlee’s Labour government. However, like many public services, it is in crisis due to cuts in funding.
Criminal justice solicitor Lucy Osborn has specialised in criminal defence work for many years and spoke about her concern over what she described as a “broken” justice system.
“Everybody needs legal aid — it’s fundamental to our society and access to justice should be there for everyone. Sadly, that’s not the case. If you earn over £236 a week you are unlikely to receive legal aid in a magistrate’s court.”
Similar stories
Mental health fears push Peers to change law on IPP torture sentences, reports Charley Allan
ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the government’s proposals to further limit the right of citizens to trial by jury
Incoming Usdaw general secretary JOANNE THOMAS talks to Ben Chacko about workers’ rights, Labour and how to arrest the decline of the high street
