LSC criticised for failing to consult on reductions

MPs have criticised the Legal Services Commission (LSC) for failing to consult with the Welsh authorities over reduction of services.

In a report published this week, the Welsh Affairs Committee said the LSC’s lack of consultation with the Wales Office or the Welsh Assembly Government about its decision to relocate services from its Cardiff office to an office in England was “unacceptable”.

Provision of adequate legal expertise for interpreting Welsh legislation is essential and future Welsh measures, such as on housing and vulnerable children, are likely to have an impact on legal aid cases, the committee said.

Excluding these parties from consultation is, “evidence of an inward-looking and metropolitan attitude that is insensitive to the needs of a devolved administration”, the report said. The committee is calling on the LSC to consider alternatives.

The chairman of the committee, Dr Hywel Francis MP, says: “I am pleased that the Minister has acknowledged that mistakes were made during this process and that he is seeking more time for this to be done properly. My Committee will continue to monitor developments.”