REDP: Scope report on impact of legal aids cuts on disabled people

Scope report on impact of legal aids cuts on disabled people

Summary: On 14 November 2011, Scope published a report exposing the serious consequences for disabled people if the Government goes ahead with plans to cut Legal Aid.

Launched in advance of the Lords debating a bill that removes welfare from the scope of legal aid, it demonstrates how the Government is in danger of leaving disabled people at the mercy of a complex system of reviews, appeals and tribunals.

Disabled people make up 58 per cent of those who receive legal aid for welfare benefits cases. This translates to over 78,000 disabled people each year who will be denied specialist legal advice if these measures go through.

The report entitled ‘Legal Aid in welfare: the tool we can’t afford to lose’ and commissioned by the Justice for All coalition of charities, legal and advice agencies, trade unions and community groups follows the route five typical claimants take as they as they negotiate red tape and bureaucracy with and without legal aid, and how the appeal and tribunal systems fall down when it is not present.

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Source: edf.org.uk

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Home News About Us Working for REDP Projects Events Resources Equality Matters Equality Legislation Contact Us Staff Area	Scope report on impact of legal aids cuts on disabled people Summary: On 14 November 2011, Scope published a report exposing the serious consequences for disabled people if the Government goes ahead with plans to cut Legal Aid. Launched in advance of the Lords debating a bill that removes welfare from the scope of legal aid, it demonstrates how the Government is in danger of leaving disabled people at the mercy of a complex system of reviews, appeals and tribunals. Disabled people make up 58 per cent of those who receive legal aid for welfare benefits cases. This translates to over 78,000 disabled people each year who will be denied specialist legal advice if these measures go through. The report entitled ‘Legal Aid in welfare: the tool we can’t afford to lose’ and commissioned by the Justice for All coalition of charities, legal and advice agencies, trade unions and community groups follows the route five typical claimants take as they as they negotiate red tape and bureaucracy with and without legal aid, and how the appeal and tribunal systems fall down when it is not present. 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Scope report on impact of legal aids cuts on disabled people