The Legal Services Commission have truly excelled themselves this time, as news reaches us that they will be charging up to £1500 to existing General Quality Mark (GQM) holders for the privilege of retaining the standard, and up to a mind boggling £2500 for new applicants. This is a further attack on smaller independent providers, many of whom are already dealing with the onslaught of increasing numbers of clients with reduced amounts of funding.
We have real concerns that these charges will have a devastating impact on the independent advice sector. It will undermine the smaller advice providers, many of whom deal with the most marginalised communities. According to the LSC’s own research, most organisations holding the GQM were small voluntary organisations, of which 31% said their funding depended on accreditation to the standard and were concerned that funders would not cover the cost if they had to pay for the assessment. If funders insist on organisations having the GQM as a condition of funding, but refuse to pay for the assessment, then many of these providers will cease to exist, as they simply cannot afford the £1000+ needed. It is a very disturbing principle that they are being asked to pay for their own regulation and face the threat of closure if they can’t afford it.
Posted by lasaceo 
