We at the GMLC are a campaigning organisation. We are actively fighting Government cuts to legal aid and for the restoration of funding and support for all who need legal advice and representation. We are also fighting to change Government welfare reform policy. The vulnerable in our community face real hardship, and we are using our experience enact real change through strategic litigation. On this page you can find out all about our campaigning activities.
Greater Manchester has a fantastic network of hard-working and dedicated organisations providing useful help and advice to those experiencing poverty. However, knowing exactly where to turn to can be challenging. Thanks to the excellent work of our friends at the Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) finding out how to reach these organisations is now easier than…
A report published last week by the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Enforcing Human Rights, highlighted “grave concerns for access to justice, the rule of law, and enforcement of human rights in the UK” caused by cuts,[1] making enforcement of human rights “simply unaffordable” for some of the most vulnerable people.[2] The chair of the…
GMLC volunteer Thomas Wood looks at the origins of PIP, the 2017 amendment that excluded claimants impaired by psychological distress, and the recent legal challenge that found this guidance ‘blatantly discriminatory’. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that helps with the extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability. An expansion of eligibility for…
At the end of June this year, anti-poverty charity Zacchaeus 2000 Trust (Z2K) published a new report showing how the Government’s harsh policies are preventing disabled and unwell people from getting the disability payments they are entitled to. Mandatory Reconsideration When claimants are wrongly denied benefits after their assessment, they can have decision reviewed by requesting a Mandatory…
Greater Manchester Law Centre (GMLC) and Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) successfully worked together to represent a client whose benefits were not only stopped by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), but they demanded 7 years’ worth of benefits of over £30,000, back from him. The reason was that he was wrongly classified…
We are delighted to be a part of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP)’s two-day Benefits Self Defence Training. This is a free event for disabled people to gain confidence, skills, tools and tips on how to assist themselves and others through the benefits system. The sessions will focus on ESA, PIP and Universal…
By Robert Povall. Robert is a Campaign Volunteer with GMLC. He has just completed the GDL at the University of Law and is passionate about making a difference. He wants to become a Barrister, specialising in immigration, civil liberties and human rights. Imagine that you have a severe disability and receive benefits to help…
by GMLC Volunteer Joe Payne Law Centres Federation Limited v the Lord Chancellor [2018] EWHC 1588 (Admin) A recent High Court decision was deservingly won by the Law Centres Network (LCN) in a challenge to the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) Legal Aid policy, via Judicial Review. Judicial Review is a legal challenge to the way a…
In May 2018, the Home Secretary launched a call for evidence to help shape a bespoke compensation scheme for members of the Windrush generation. This was declared “the first step to establishing the scheme for those who have suffered financial loss because of difficulties proving their immigration status”. On 6th June, we published our response to the Windrush…
TODAY we ask you to give to our urgent CrowdJustice fundraiser: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/nextgenjustice/ Without access to justice, the most vulnerable in our society are denied benefits they need, housing and employment rights and more. In 2016, the Greater Manchester Law Centre (GMLC) opened because dedicated members of our community came together as volunteers to say: something must…