FOLLOWING your article entitled "Ex-miners face court fight over injuries" (Echo, May 1) - about former miners seeking compensation in relation to knee injuries - I would like to clarify that the Legal Services Commission (LSC) has agreed to contribute legal aid to the action and is currently talking to a number of bodies, including Nacods, the NUM and the Durham Mechanics, in order to agree how best to work together to fund this action.
The LSC has funded previous actions brought by miners, including vibration white finger and lung complaints. However, unlike previous actions, legal aid will be a small part of the overall funding with the unions providing the rest.
We are proud to be part-funding this action with the unions. By working together we can ensure that former miners obtain access to justice while ensuring value for money for taxpayers by spreading the cost of the action.
This enables the LSC to provide funding to other vulnerable people, so they can act on their rights and play a fuller role in society.
Peter Nelson, Regional Director, Legal Services Commission, Newcastle.
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