After a year long enquiry, the Low Commission has published its report on social welfare law advice and support. You can download the report here.
It calls for a national strategy for advice and legal support as the current approach is failing the poorest and most vulnerable.
Crucially, it has identified that £100m funding is needed, half from central government and the other half from other sources, including payday loan companies. The report also calls for:
- A cross-departmental ministerial post to oversee the implementation of an advice and support strategy
- Restoration of legal aid for housing cases so that people do not have to wait until eviction is imminent
- Urgent reform of the exceptional case provisions under section 10 of LASPO, as they are clearly failing to provide a safety net
We hope that the report will be studied by all political parties as they consider their policy positions in the run up to the next Westminster elections.
