MP hails rethink after ‘countless’ jobs saved
SOUTHPORT MP Damien Moore says “countless jobs” have been saved in the town after the Government amended its personal injury reforms.
Mr Moore had lobbied the Ministry of Justice to remove vulnerable road users from the reforms – saving hundreds of jobs in Southport.
The Civil Liability Bill aims at reducing insurance costs for motorists but the original proposals risked making it more difficult for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists to find legal representation.
The plans would have left road accident victims unable to recover their legal costs unless their claim was worth more than £5,000.
Ed Fletcher, whose Fletchers Solictors practice specialises in defending these vulnerable road users, feared the effect of the reforms on his firm.
MPs had already criticised the Civil Liability Bill for not estimating its impact on the legal sector.
Rory Stewart, the minister responsible for the legislation, agreed to remove vulnerable road users after Mr Moore lobbied for their exclusion.
The Conservative MP thanked the minister for listening to his concerns and described the decision to change the bill as “great news”.
He added: “Some of our town’s biggest employers could have lost countless jobs if this change hadn’t been made.”
Mr Fletcher said: “We are absolutely delighted with the changes to these reforms and are grateful to MP Damien Moore for taking this on board on our behalf.
“The unintended consequence of the legislation would have massively impacted on vulnerable road users and it would potentially have had an impact on 400 jobs in Southport.
“This is great for Fletchers so we can continue to provide justice to people who wouldn’t have been able to access quality representation from fantastic lawyers who are hugely experienced.
“It also means that we can keep people employed and continue to grow sustainably in this area.
“Vulnerable road users being excluded from this legislation is great news for Fletchers and great news for justice.”