In brief
Plans to provide improved civil legal aid and advice services in six new areas in England and Wales have been unveiled by the Legal Services Commission (LSC). Community legal advice centres are to be set up in Manchester, Stockport and Sunderland, while community legal advice networks are planned for the area covering Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, Gloucestershire, and West Sussex. The centres and networks aim to offer more co-ordinated services to those most in need, enabling them to get legal help for a range of social welfare problems. Richard Collins, LSC director of policy and planning, says the improvements will help ensure clients are able to access a seamless service.