Greater Manchester Law Centre
LightNews LightNews
banner
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
Greater Manchester Law Centre
@gmlawcentre.bsky.social
160 followers 19 following 77 posts
GMLC is a community Law Centre offering free, independent legal advice & representation. Fighting together for free access to justice. [email protected] ⚖️
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Greater Manchester Law Centre
legalactiongroup.bsky.social
“Legal training & supervision cannot be luxuries reserved for the commercial sector.”

In 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, Myriam Naoual sets out how SQE costs, low pay & the Mazur ruling deepen the challenges facing new #LegalAidLawyers. @pilc-campaigns.bsky.social @younglegalaidlaw.bsky.social

📖 hi.switchy.io/kmcI
November 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Reposted by Greater Manchester Law Centre
bigissue.com
Today’s budget makes a vital first step: ending the two-child benefit limit.

Big Issue founder John Bird responds - and calls for the bold child poverty strategy the UK still urgently needs. Share if you agree and help us fight for every child affected by poverty across the UK.
November 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Greater Manchester Law Centre
presidentgmatuc.bsky.social
Looking forward to hosting this event with @gmlawcentre.bsky.social

Join us @bdtuc.bsky.social @gftu.org.uk @georgemonbiot.bsky.social @manniequinn.bsky.social @leicesterworker.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 9:26 PM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
“Our young people have often just faced endless rejections,” he told me. “They’re disillusioned. And at the jobcentre it feels more like a monitoring exercise, so they feel under pressure. They’ll be applying for 150 or 200 jobs, to absolutely no avail.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
With a million young people locked out of work, the UK’s hidden jobs crisis is only growing | John Harris
Held back by Covid and then phased out by AI, Britain’s so-called Neets are desperately seeking a secure future. Who will offer them hope? asks Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:54 PM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
"Now it feels like you're being punished for having children."
According to the Department for Work and Pensions, 59% of households affected by the [two-child benefit limit] policy are in work.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mum 'feels like she's being punished' under two-child benefit cap
Lifting the two-child limit would be
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Reposted by Greater Manchester Law Centre
publiclawproject.bsky.social
“This is a dark day for anyone like me, who wants the memory of their loved one to be respected & valued equally.” - Daniel Jwanczuk on today’s Supreme Court ruling on Bereavement Support Payment in favour of the DWP

publiclawproject.org.uk/latest/supre...
Widower devastated by Supreme Court ruling on Bereavement Support - Public Law Project
Supreme Court rules against widower Daniel Jwanczuk and in favour of the DWP on long-running Bereavement Support Case
publiclawproject.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 6:48 PM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
Today, the BBC reported live from six County Courts hearing eviction and repossession cases. This is a small sample of what we try to stop by representing people at court: people losing their home after their finances take a turn, or for no fault at all.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...
BBC reports live from court as more people face losing their homes - special report
Court figures show the number of mortgage repossession orders in England and Wales reached a five-year high in 2024-25.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
"In 2017, a working couple could cover 97% of their children’s costs – this has dropped to 84% in 2025. For lone parents it’s gone from 86% down to 69%."
#ScrapTheBenefitCap
www.bigissue.com/opinion/work...
I'm a working mum – but the two-child limit on benefits hits my family too
Thea Jaffe is a full-time working mum. Ahead of the autumn budget, she calls for an end to the two-child limit on benefits.
www.bigissue.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:34 AM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
When the Renters Rights Act comes into force, tenants will need local authorities to be better than this at enforcement, or many of the new protections will become meaningless.

The government should fund #LegalAid so tenants aren't as reliant on Councils.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
Two-thirds of English councils have not prosecuted a single landlord in past three years
Exclusive: Councils prosecuted just 64 landlords despite receiving 300,000 complaints from tenants in unfit homes
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Reposted by Greater Manchester Law Centre
gmiau.bsky.social
This Govt has yet again failed to learn that performative cruelty neither reduces the number of people who need protection nor appeases those driven by hate. People fleeing for their lives need stability and security to rebuild, especially after being forced to leave behind everything they know.
November 17, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Greater Manchester Law Centre
gmiau.bsky.social
Today, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood prepares to announce the latest attack on refugee rights in the UK.

A host of hostile policy changes have already been announced. We don’t yet have the full details, but we’ll keep you updated as more becomes clear.

⬇️Here’s what we know + think so far:
Starmer braced for backlash from Labour MPs as Mahmood sets out asylum plans – UK politics live
Home secretary to announce a drastic tightening of rules, including requiring asylum seekers to wait 20 years before getting the right to permanently settle in UK
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:15 PM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
Congratulations to Zayd Tariq, our student volunteer who won Best Student Contribution at the Manchester Pro Bono Awards last week. Zayd has shown excellent client care skills and flexibility supporting his welfare benefits clients. Thank you Zayd for your work - and the cake!
November 11, 2025 at 10:36 AM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
Protest law is becoming increasingly draconian. The Home Office think that protesting outside MPs' homes is "toxic behaviour"- others view it as holding those in public office accountable for their decisions. Peaceful protest should not be criminalised.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Activists could be jailed for six months for protesting outside MPs’ homes
Law aimed at tackling harassment will criminalise protests outside homes of MPs in England and Wales amid rise in complaints
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:52 AM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
“Now is the time for a full-throated defence of the European Convention on Human Rights and Human Rights Act. No one has human rights, unless we all have human rights.”
GMLC has signed this statement.
#AccessToJustice
www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/almost...
Almost 300 organisations express support for ECHR on 75th anniversary - Liberty
www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 12:12 PM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
Lord Neuberger: "Legal aid for advice and representation in civil and family cases which was barely adequate in 1996 has been progressively shrunk in both scope and quantum over the past 30 years".
#AccessToJustice
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/neuberg...
Neuberger speaks of 'disturbing' plight of ordinary people caught up in the courts
Former Supreme Court president bemoans failure to increase legal aid rates - and cost of public inquiries.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Reposted by Greater Manchester Law Centre
legalactiongroup.bsky.social
𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀'𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 📖

“It seems that the regulation of free expression is rarely out of the news.”

Raj Chada examines the growing criminalisation of speech and what it means for democracy and justice.

👉 Read the full story in the latest Legal Action magazine @hjacriminaldefence.bsky.social
“It seems that the regulation of free expression is rarely out of the...
There is no doubt that there are almost daily reports of free speech issues in the criminal courts, says Raj Chada.
hi.switchy.io
October 29, 2025 at 5:01 PM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
The Renters Rights Act has finally passed. The Act makes changes to the way evictions, rent increases and tenancy agreements work. Some of its changes are welcome, but its effect in practice remains to be seen - and fought in the courts.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Historic Renters’ Rights Act becomes law
Renters’ Rights Bill receives Royal Assent today, securing a fairer future for 11 million private renters in England
www.gov.uk
October 28, 2025 at 1:46 PM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
The most sensible way to bring down the benefits budget would be to introduce rent controls. Raising housing benefit levels helps some tenants in the short-term - but it has a lot of pitfalls.
Only rent controls make long-term sense.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Frozen housing benefit see families plunged into homelessness
www.bbc.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 10:37 AM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
Our colleagues at @gmiau.bsky.social have worked with asylum seekers in hotels to put together this letter from the lived experience of living in asylum accommodation.
"We believe it is time for people to hear our side of the story."
gmiau.org/greater-manc...
Greater Manchester Asylum Hotels Group: Our response to the protests outside hotels - GMIAU
Statement from a group in Manchester who have lived experience of living in asylum accommodation responding to the racist far-right protests
gmiau.org
October 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Greater Manchester Law Centre
lawcentres.bsky.social
On #AdviceWeek, we’re sharing a few stories of hardship transformed.

This is the contribution that Law Centres make every day to our country. It’s a vital public service, but government underinvestment is limiting its potential.

It's time to give the advice sector the support it needs to thrive.
Text which reads: Anita was pregnant and living with her partner and two young children in a single, damp hotel room without hot water. They had been there for almost a year and were forced to share kitchen and bathroom facilities with strangers. Central England Law Centre challenged the council’s decision to keep the family in unsuitable accommodation, and helped Anita to secure Child Benefit she was missing out on. The family received compensation and were moved to new accommodation that was safe and secure. #Advice Saves An image of: A mother and two children sitting on a bench looking out to the landscape. Text which reads: "Before coming to the Law Centre, I had no idea whatsoever of my rights and the process I was supposed to go through. I don't think enough people do know, and so they go into legal proceedings ill-equipped. “Some people end up homeless because they didn’t have the support I had. I know 100% I’m in my home because of the support of the Law Centre." —Emmanuel, South West London Law Centres client #AdviceSaves An image of: A man sat reading a book at a desk. Text which reads: Anoushka was experiencing domestic violence. Her immigration status was tied to her abusive partner and she feared that walking away would leave her in an even more vulnerable position. Merseyside Law Centre helped Anoushka to make a Destitution Domestic Violence Concession application, and later an application for indefinite leave to remain. It worked: both applications were granted. Anoushka became eligible for public funds to help her access alternative accommodation, and her future in the UK is secure. #AdviceSaves An image of: A woman wearing a denim jacket, sat down and clasping her hands together. Text which reads: Daniel had severe medical issues arising from his former job. He applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) but was awarded only the lower rate of daily living payment. Daniel struggled with both the additional cost of disability and with the emotional strain of not being able to live independently. Merseyside Law Centre represented Daniel at a tribunal to challenge the DWP’s decision. The panel awarded Daniel the highest possible award of PIP with the longest duration (10 years). An image of: A man with a walking stick being supported by a woman.
October 23, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Reposted by Greater Manchester Law Centre
wcmlibrary.bsky.social
‘KEEP THE FLAME BURNING’ OPENS AT THE WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT LIBRARY

The exhibition, that has been co-produced by a group of volunteers, all aged 16 - 25 and working class, opens on Friday 18th July!

Follow the link for more info

wcml.org.uk/event/keep-t...
June 30, 2025 at 10:44 AM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
The government must scrap the benefit cap in its upcoming child poverty strategy. It pushes 300,000 children into even deeper poverty, does not achieve its purported aims and would only cost £300 million to abolish.
cpag.org.uk/sites/defaul...
cpag.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
The Law Society of England and Wales president Richard Atkinson has called on the government to further invest in the civil legal aid system to "begin eliminating legal aid deserts", saying it is a "crucial public service".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Legal aid saved me from my ex-husband'
Norfolk Community Law Service warns that more people are being
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 12:43 PM
gmlawcentre.bsky.social
"It’s a fundamental principle that everyone, no matter their income, should be able to get access to justice to challenge unfair behaviour at work."
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
David Lammy rules out charging workers for employment tribunal claims
Justice secretary says right to challenge unfair work behaviour is core to Labour’s work plan after union backlash
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Reposted by Greater Manchester Law Centre
gmiau.bsky.social
📒 We have published a new Policy Briefing: Refugee Homelessness in Greater Manchester.

Please read and download the briefing here: gmiau.org/refugee-home...
October 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM