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Proceeding contribution from Lord Howarth of Newport (Labour) in the House of Lords on Monday, 16 January 2012. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill

I am sure we all accept that it is imperative that the Government do not lose control of the economy, as the Minister puts it, but it is a question of how you gain control of the economy. Why do this Government prefer to deprive people of legal aid in their appeals for welfare benefits in order to save £25 million—they think, but very good reasons have been put by noble Lords all round the House as to why that saving would be illusory—while being prepared to spend much larger sums on freezing council tax, which will largely benefit more affluent people, or on weekly refuse collections? It is a question of priorities.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
734 c406-7 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Disability Children Compensation Appeals Administration of justice Asylum Carers Damages Costs Civil proceedings Court orders Health services Families Legal aid scheme Liability Expenditure Domestic abuse Insurance Migrants Legal costs Abduction Family proceedings NHS Low incomes Negligence Social security benefits Sentencing Young people UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Expert evidence Citizens' advice bureaux Law centres Mediation
Legislation
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk