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.
On Thursday, 11th April, we launched our manifesto at a public event. The event was packed. 150 people were in attendance: students, advisers, lawyers and community groups, old and new friends. The full manifesto can now be downloaded here. Norma Turner, one of GMLC’s founders, chaired the event and speakers included GMLC Patron and human rights lawyer Robert…
In our Manifesto, launched last Thursday, we demanded the abolition of Section 21. ‘No-fault’ evictions are the leading cause of homelessness in the UK. We are fighting with others on the basic principle that everyone has the right to a secure home. Today we welcome the announcement of the Government to abolish short-notice evictions.…
We published on Friday an article “The Public Space Protection Order: What you need to know“. Under the new proposed powers any “authorised person” including a council officer can issue a person suspected of breaching the PSPO with a fixed penalty notice and fine of £100. If not paid and prosecuted in court the fine can…
Manchester City Council are proposing to give themselves new powers using a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), and you have until Monday 8th April to give your views. Under the new proposed powers any “authorised person” including a council officer can issue a person suspected of breaching the PSPO with a fixed penalty notice and…
“After a decade-long attack on the most vulnerable members of our community, the politics of austerity and nationalism have led to homelessness, racism, discrimination, exploitation and division. We will not stand by and silently watch this attack on our communities. We have a vision of a fairer society. We all have a part to play. We…
by GMLC volunteer Alex McColl R (Johnson & Ors) v SSWP [2019] EWHC 23 (Admin) In January this year, four single mothers won a case in the High Court against the DWP in a judicial review of the way in which universal credit is calculated. Universal credit was introduced in 2013. It merged six other…
Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) were introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 as part of a toolkit given to Local Authorities to help them tackle anti-social behaviour[1]. They were introduced against an interesting political backdrop: increasing public concern about anti-social behaviour frustrated the Government, who were in fact seeing overall…
By Ciara Leeming This piece originally featured in Big Issue North magazine and is re-posted here with permission A group of homeless people have found themselves a roof over their heads, stability and even employment. But it’s a squat and so all that they have achieved is under threat Moves to close…
We have a monthly column in the Law Society Messenger. This month, we were delighted to be asked to produce the cover story on the important topic of the LASPO review. See the full issue here. Early 2018 the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced the post-implementation review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of…
Manchester City Council have proposed granting themselves new powers to address the following problems in Manchester City Centre: Street drinking “Aggressive” Begging Obstructing building entrances/exits, stairwells of premises or highways after being asked to move Occupying a tent or other temporary structure in a manner which is likely to create a health and safety risk…