A shadow minister in the Department of Constitutional Affairs Henry Bellingham has raised concerns about future of the legal aid system on the Isle of Wight during a debate in Westminster Hall at the request of Andrew Turner. The Island’s MP is currently recovering from a stroke but fears about the consequences of reform of the legal aid system had been raised with him by Island solicitors so he asked that the threat to provision the Island be mentioned during the debate of the future of the Legal Aid System.
Mr Bellingham pointed out that under the proposals to move to a fixed fee scheme the Island could become an advice desert as there are likely to be fewer solicitors prepared to undertake legal aid work. This would lead to serious problems caused by conflicts of interest, which would be exacerbated by high transport costs to and from the Island.
Kath Harvey, who works in Mr Turner’s Newport office said,
“We knew Andrew was concerned about this issue so let him know there was to be a debate on the subject. He is still quite unwell but he was keen to make sure that the Minister was made aware of the particular situation on the Island. The Minister has invited Andrew to write to her so we will consult with the Isle of Wight Law Society to make sure that she is made aware of how these proposals will affect legal aid on the Isle of Wight.
END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808
Henry Bellingham :
If you do not mind, Sir Nicholas, I shall quote a colleague. My hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) has recently been very ill. He suffered an unpleasant stroke, but mercifully he is now much better. I spoke to him by telephone last night. He asked me to tell the House that, in his judgment, the supplier base for legal aid on the Isle of Wight is threatened by the current proposals. He said that if the base is eroded too far, there will be no choice, which will create further serious problems, with conflicts of interest. The problem affects all areas, but it will have a particular impact on the island, given the logistical difficulties of getting people over from the mainland—or the high cost that his poorer constituents will face in getting to the mainland. He pointed out the risk that under the Government’s proposals the Isle of Wight will become an advice desert. It is important that his comments are taken on board, particularly at this time.
Vera Baird :
I am sorry to hear that the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) is indisposed. I do not know much about the situation on the island. I happily invite the hon. Gentleman to write to me about the particular problems there. Niche suppliers, small suppliers and black and minority ethnic suppliers should have absolutely no difficulty. If a major supplier wants to bid for large number of cases, there is no reason why they should not; they have specialists of all kinds at their disposal.
Campaigners led by the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) say the higher rate of mobility benefit worth £43.45 per week should be available to help with extra transport costs which those with serious sight loss need to be able to get out and about.
