In the final Commons stages of the Legal Services Bill today, it has become clear that the Government have yet again caved in to pressure from the Unions. They have agreed to exempt Unions from legislation created to protect consumers of legal services.
This will mean that Trade Unions' own members cannot be assured that the legal advice they receive is up to standard. This is despite Unions' clear abuse of their non regulated position, as discovered during the miners' compensation scheme scandal.
Commenting, Shadow Justice Minister, Jonathan Djanogly said:
"Despite promising a new start, this exemption proves that Gordon Brown's Government is still under the thumb of the Unions. After months of Union lobbying, the Government has given in to pressure to introduce legislation which means that Unions' own members won't get the assurance of regulated legal advice.
"I simply do not understand how this wide-ranging exemption for Trade Unions can be acceptable not least when other not for profit bodies are to be regulated.
"The Government's position is as confused as it is unacceptable, there is no excuse for this, which is why we shall be voting against the exemption."