Low Commission to develop strategy for advice & legal support

Last night saw the launch of the Low Commission on the future of Advice and Legal Support at the Legal Action Group’s annual lecture. Over the next year, the Commission, chaired by disability rights campaigner, Lord Colin Low, will develop a strategy for access to advice and support on Social Welfare Law in England and Wales.

Commenting on the launch, Lord Lord said: “We are faced with a perfect storm of reduced provision resulting from the cuts in legal aid and local authority funding and an increase in demand for advice and support resulting from reforms of welfare benefits and other austerity measures,” adding that “Access to justice, especially for the poor and vulnerable, is the mark of a civilised society”.

The Commission aims to publish emerging recommendations next September and launch its final report in December 2013 in time to influence the parties’ manifestos. It will be taking evidence on the impact of the cuts and on options for the future and publishing its own papers, as well as evidence received, on its website. Roundtables on specific topics are planned, as well as a series of consultation meetings.

The Low Commission is funded by the Baring Foundation, LlankellyChase Foundation, Trust for London and the Barrow Cadbury Trust. You can find out more about the Commission online here and also follow developments on Twitter.