THE launch of the Harlow Community Legal Service partnership draft strategic plan has been welcomed as a "critical step in the Government's battle to build a fairer, more equal and just society", by Harlow MP Bill Rammell.

The plan promotes social inclusion by enabling people to access information and advice to deal with legal issues relating to housing, welfare benefits or employment disputes.

Mr Rammell said: "It's a critical means of enabling local people here in Harlow to tackle poverty and unfairness."

He added that many people need access to good legal advice but they underestimate the value of the service.

"People underestimate the importance of this type of service because we don't know how important it is until we really need it. Then, for a time, it becomes the most important thing in our lives, it is the passport to achieving justice."

June 11, 2002 17:30