Smart Advice

Independent advice can save £millions if it is designed and funded intelligently - that is the message from AdviceUK. A leaflet outlining our call can be downloaded below.

We are calling for new thinking about advice services, pointing out that independent advice services provided by voluntary and community organisations are an essential part of the fabric of complex modern society. They can also play a huge role in helping central and local government reduce cost and waste and improve public services.

But realising this potential requires a change in approach from government, local councils and funders.

Studies by AdviceUK's RADICAL and BOLD projects and documented in the report It's System Stupid! have shown that recent policy towards the funding, commissioning, regulation and design of advice services is hampering their effectiveness and locking in cost and waste. For instance, nearly a third of the capacity of advice agencies is spent dealing with work generated by the failure of public bodies (like the DWP and HMRC) according to the latest research in Nottingham. Further waste and dehumanisation stems from the targets and bureaucracy with which many advice services are now burdened (see Time Well Spent and Rights with Meaning reports).  

AdviceUK calls on government to:

Lift the burden of regulation, bureaucracy and top-down design that stifles innovation and people focused delivery of advice

Build learning into the system by giving advice organisations a greater role in local and national social policy making and public service improvement

Invest in advice services through funding and commissioning programmes that focus on the best possible outcomes and social returns

Support our call

If you support our call or have comments or suggestions, scroll down the page and complete the form. You may also wish to write to your local MP, MSP, Assembly member, councillors and other people and organisations who you think may be interested in hearing about and support our call. Two template letters are available to download below. If you do this, please send us a copy of your letter: policy@adviceuk.org.uk.

Resources

At the bottom of this page you will find several documents that will help you participate. These include an informational leaflet and a template letter for use when contacting your local MP, MSP, AM or councillor.

For more campaign resources please visit our Campaign Resources page.

Our Campaigns and Consultations pages also provide further statements on our policy positions.

Support Us

I/We support AdviceUK’s call for new thinking about advice that will enable a diverse range of provision to flourish and contribute to meeting social, economic, community and health needs and improving access to justice and human rights. I/We recognise that smartly funded and designed independent advice services can play a huge role in helping central and local government reduce cost and waste and improve public services.

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