Teather takes Courts fight to Government

5.35.19pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 4th Dec 2006

Sarah Teather and members of Brent's Family Court outside the Department of Constitutional Affairs building

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather today met with the Minister for Constitutional Affairs, Harriet Harman MP, to discuss the proposals to close Brent's family court.

The Courts Service have proposed that family work from Brent should be dealt with at Barnet County Court, Uxbridge County Court, or Wells Street in W1. This would leave vulnerable and disadvantaged families forced to travel to centres outside Brent, at their own cost. Brent Council would also be subject to the additional cost of ensuring social workers and legal representatives can reach these more distant courthouses.

Local Brent MP Sarah Teather was joined at the Department for Constitutional Affairs by Bridget Page, Chair of the Family Courts Division, and Geraldine Cox, a family panel magistrate.

Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"I was glad to meet with the Minister to represent the concerns of my constituents. I explained that if this alarming proposal goes ahead it will be the young and the most vulnerable in Brent who will suffer.

"The Council's Social Services department are already under huge pressure to make savings. It is completely unfair that they may also have to find extra money to ship social workers and other staff out to Barnet or Uxbridge.

"It was a very productive meeting and the Minister assured us that local concerns would be considered as part of the consultation process. I will now focus my efforts on making sure the Government stick to their word.

"Brent issues should be dealt with in Brent. The Government must reconsider their proposal to axe this vital local service."