PROVISION OF LEGAL AID

That this House notes with concern that proposed legal aid cuts will lead to a loss of face-to-face advice for debt, employment, housing and welfare benefits that could make the funding stream unworkable for charities; furthernotes with alarm that the legal aid funding that will be left in placewould not be enough for not-for-profit organisations to employ one full-time caseworker in 30 per cent. of areas; further notes that the removal oflegal aid for advice on immigration, family law, clinical negligence and education and other changes means that over 650,000 people will lose out overall; further notes with alarm that immigration advice will only be available in the future under legal aid for people who are detained; further notes that Coventry Law Centre has a contract to help 380 clients with immigration issues; recognises that the current provision for legal aid for debt, housing, welfare, benefits, community care and employment allows Coventry Law Centre to assist 1,830 people in the city; notes with concern that after the proposed cuts and the effects of the introduction of the mandatory telephone gateway, that this figure will reduce to just 138 people; believes that current policies are unfair, unnecessary and unsustainable; and calls on the Government to reconsider its proposals before it damages legal aid provision irrevocably.