The future of advice agencies all across the Country is at the present time unknown. The introduction of CLAC’s and CLAN’s may see the closure of whole swathes of Citizens Advice Bureaux, Law Centres and other advice agencies across the UK. Even if these organisations don’t close their future will most likely change, for good or for bad, as they are forced into territory unknown such as Consortiums and partnerships.
The future may well see the growth of companies such as A4e and Capita. The growth of such companies leads to many questions.
On the negative side one might ask whether these companies in it for profit? Are these companies looking at Social Welfare contracts as a loss leader? Do these companies really want to be effective advocates for social change or do they have a financial interest in making sure there are always clients who need help?
There could of course be positives. Could these changes be the wake up call that Advice agencies need to develop more efficient advice providing models? A simple question but are the likes of A4e and Capita better at providing advice than the likes of the CABx?
The answers are perhaps unknown to all (apart from perhaps the heads of such companies). However I think they are questions that need asking and need debating. It is difficult to predict what impact these changes will have on both individuals in need and society as whole. As Hull has shown the changes have started, what will the future be?
Perhaps it’s already to late to debate these matters as the LSC and the Government seem hell bent on driving on with their reforms (albeit over the small speed hump put in place by the Law Society).
I will try to provide links to various resources concerning the future of Legal Aid provision. Hopefully it will encourage some debate or at the very least hopefully just act as an information resource on the changes ahead and the impact of the changes already brought about.
