Letters: Legal aid is not in decline
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Legal aid is helping growing numbers of people with their civil problems, contrary to your report (CYP Now, 20-26 November 2008).
A decade ago, not-for-profit organisations received virtually nothing from legal aid but funding has grown and last year hit £80m.
In the past we paid for hours worked, but in 2007 the Legal Services Commission (LSC) moved to pay by case. Organisations can maintain, or even expand, their previous income by working within this system. Funding by the hour is also still available so costly cases continue to be undertaken.
Our payment scheme was consulted on two years ago and the final scheme allowed 11 months for providers to prepare through support and training programmes.
Some organisations say the new system is unworkable - and yet they bid for new work. We encourage any agency that is in difficulty to talk to its local LSC contract manager.
Carolyn Regan, chief executive, Legal Services Commission
NOT PAYING FEES IS NOT FRAUD
Your story on unpaid nursery fees suggests there is a loophole in the tax credit system (CYP Now, 27 November-3 December 2008). However, if a parent is awarded childcare tax credit to pay for part of their childcare bill and then struggles to make payments to the provider, this is not benefit fraud.
Parents on low incomes have to juggle a range of financial burdens, and childcare costs rise above inflation each year. More emphasis should be placed on supporting these parents. This issue also highlights the importance of free nursery places in ensuring affordable childcare is available.
Emma Knights, joint chief executive, Daycare Trust
INVEST IN SCHOOL GROUNDS TOO
The recent announcement that £3.55bn will be spent on rebuilding primary schools across the country is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local authorities to provide inspiring schools, but it is also important to consider investment in outdoor environments.
Our vision is that the programme will enable schools to engage children through learning in the school grounds by creating opportunities to connect young people to natural systems with hands-on learning experiences.
Catherine Andrews, chief executive, Learning through Landscapes
- The editor, Children & Young People Now, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP. cypnow@haymarket.com. 020 8267 4706
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