Rachael Maskell, national officer at Unite, said legal aid reforms implemented by the Legal Services Commission for civil cases have led to a poorer quality service. Previously, independent advice centres, law centres and Citizens Advice Bureau with a not-for-profit contract had a contract based on hourly rates. Professionals would judge how long to spend on each client.
But Legal Services Commission changes mean that a fixed fee is now set per case. As a result, Maskell says staff are working longer for less.
"Young people asking for housing advice or benefits advice will find it harder to get advice of high quality," she said.
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