| Our response to “Windrush lessons learnt” consultation Robert Lizar Solicitors quash sentences for anti fracking | Workers Rights in the gig economy | “You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs” case review | DWP to refund over £970m to ESA claimants underpaid since 2011 | We speak at Human Rights Lawyer Association event in Manchester |
“With the continued efforts organisations that share GMLC’s determination to fight for justice, injustices like this can, and will, be challenged”
– Robert Povall, GMLC Volunteer
Our response to the “Windrush lessons learnt” consultation
The Home Secretary commissioned a “lessons learned review” into the events leading up to Windrush. We responded:
“The main reason why the ‘Windrush scandal’ occurred was because of policies initiated by successive governments to target migrants in an effort to prove that they were not soft on immigration, the government’s belief being that they had to take this line in order to obtain votes.
They were willing to ignore the effects of their anti-migrant rhetoric on those from the ethnic communities who were in the UK legally. They were willing to ignore the increase in racist violence which occurred whenever anti-migrant rhetoric was aired and were, in particular, willing to see residents who had been in the UK legally for decades lose their jobs, be refused healthcare and benefits and see the lives of those with the right to be in the UK ruined by a policy targeted at immigrants, built on an ideological pursuit of political targets.”
See our full response and and example of work we did with a member of the Windrush generation here.
Robert Lizar Solicitors quash sentences for anti fracking protestors
Robert Lizar is a patron of GMLC. He and his firm are committed to providing legal services that promote access to justice, and we share these principles. Solicitors from the firm Nicola Hall and Simon Pook worked tirelessly pro bono to secure the release of three anti fracking protestors, as the Court of Appeal found their sentences “manifestly excessive” last week.
We are proud of our supporters, colleagues and friends fighting for justice.
Workers Rights in the Gig Economy
Our free, face to face employment advice services fight for justice for employees. Our close relationship with the trade union movement means that we follow legal developments in workers’ rights and campaign for justice.
GMLC volunteer Brocho Nemetsky takes a look at recent cases on workers’ rights in the gig economy.
“Pimlico Plumbers dictated elements of his employment such as what Mr Smith had to wear, and a minimum number of hours that he was required to work on certain days. Nevertheless, he was still not recognised as a worker and was therefore not granted sick leave and paid holiday”
“You can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs” case review
“The Judge did not see any breach of the public sector duty in the balancing of value for money and service provision for disabled people.
‘Value for money’ continues to be used to justify the removal of lifelines for the most vulnerable in society.”
We seek to challenge the way law and policy leads to injustice.
DWP to refund over £970m to ESA claimants underpaid since 2011
We challenge unjust welfare policy, through our casework and through campaigning with others for reform.
GMLC volunteer Robert Povall reviews the DWP’s error which resulted in over 180,000 disability benefit claimants underpaid, the DWP’s attempt to avoid refunding over 3 years’ worth of claims, and the legal challenge that forced them to accept liability.
“This is undoubtedly a victory for those fighting for justice. That said, it is alarming to see how over 180,000 disabled individuals were let down and short-changed by a system designed to support them.”
We speak at Human Rights Lawyer Association event in Manchester
We are pleased to have been invited to the Human Rights Lawyer Association event at the University of Manchester to speak to students.
Our chair John Nicholson spoke on the closing plenary to encourage the next generation of social welfare lawyers to fight for legal aid and access to justice.
4 things you can do to help Greater Manchester Law Centre
- You can donate and/or set up a standing order to help fund our key legal services
- Get involved by either volunteering, becoming a member, a supporter, or if you are an organisation, you can affiliate with us. Go to the Get involved tab on the home page.
- For those of you on Twitter, follow us, RT or quote us and hashtag #WhyWeNeedGMLC or #FreeAccesstoJustice. If you are on fb follow our page and share our posts.
- Ask for a letter of support from your local councillor/MP/community organisation/trade union branch and send it in to us.
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest GMLC news.
All the very best,
Greater Manchester Law Centre (GMLC)
Phone 0161 769 2244 | Email development@gmlaw.org.uk
GMLC is run by the community for the community and your contributions are vital in securing key, free face-to-face advice and representation services as well as for fighting together for free access to justice.
