At the Legal Services Commission, we are resolutely focused on clients, and the government's proposals for legal aid reform are absolutely necessary to safeguard clients by ensuring the long-term sustainability of the legal aid system.

The most important figure is the number of people receiving help from legal aid, which is at a record high, not the number of advice agencies carrying out the work.

I would like to reassure people living in the Driffield area that help is available.

We are currently working on a joint initiative with East Riding of Yorkshire that aims to marry civil legal aid funded by the LSC with social welfare services provided by the council to mirror the way people experience problems. This could be the first of its kind in the country.

We also offer a telephone advice service for the people of East Riding. Community Legal Advice, which is funded by legal aid, offers expert advice on housing, education, tax credits, welfare benefits, employment and debt.

For further information and free advice call 0845 345 4 345 or visit
www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk
Our legal aid system is one of the best funded in the world, and the work of the legal aid providers with whom we work is fundamental to social and legal justice.

But we have to remember that our budget comes from the taxpayer and is not unlimited.

We have to make sure we get the best possible service for clients and the best possible value for money for the taxpayer.

Peter Nelson, regional director, Legal Services Commission