Unite calls on MSPs to put ‘people before profit’
8th October 2009
Unite the union has called on MSPs to put people before profit
ahead of today's (Thursday) parliamentary debate on Lord Gill’s
review of the civil court system in Scotland.
Lord Gill, one of Scotland’s most senior judges, started a
review of the country’s civil court system in late 2007 and his
recommendations will be received by the Scottish parliament. Unite
has grave concerns about the impact of these proposals on the
ability of working people to access justice and the potential to
repeal decades of hard fought advances in civil and industrial
health and safety rights.
Unite Scottish secretary, John Quigley, said: “Unite is not
adverse to change, but we strongly reject any plans that will have
an adverse effect on the ability of working people in Scotland to
access and receive justice.”
The agenda in Scotland is shifting from people to profit and
this is reflected in the Gill Review and the policies of the SNP
Scottish government. For example, a 50 per cent increase in civil
court fees (from 30 per cent to 80 per cent of the cost of service)
has been placed on the public and it is the Scottish government’s
desire to have the public pay 100 per cent in the near future.
At the same time Gill, under the duress of the virulent
insurance lobby, will prevent working people suffering from
industrial injuries and diseases from accessing the highest court
in the land by removing personal injury cases from the Court of
Session.
Mr Quigley continued: “Working people will have to pay a lot
more just when they can least afford it. The impact on claimants
will be especially severe for those on low incomes, just above the
threshold for legal aid. It is a basic human right that everyone
should have equal access to justice, it should not depend on the
depth of your pockets, and the Gill review and the Scottish
government will pincer this principle.”
“This is a crossroads moment for the Scottish justice system.
Ahead of today’s crucial parliamentary debate, I would urge our
MSPs to examine their conscience, and perhaps their credibility
among the electorate, and put people before profit.”
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315 or Peter Welsh on 07810
157 931.
