Become a member    |     Log in
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get the latest news and updates from AdviceUK.
SUBSCRIBE

Comprehensive Spending Review

BY Emma Coates | October 5, 2021

AdviceUK and the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review

In advance of this autumn’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), AdviceUK has made representations to HM Treasury on what we see as the key issues affecting our members and the people they support.

Promoting the wellbeing of individuals and the communities in which they live is fundamental. AdviceUK believes that the CSR must ensure that funding is made available to: –

  • Reinstate the £20 Universal Credit uplift, and increase legacy benefits in line with this uplift
  • Restore the Social Fund
  • Provide more support for energy bills for people on low incomes
  • Make financial support available for tenants at risk of being evicted due to COVID-related loss of income
  • Build more social housing and reduce the amount of money going to private landlords in rent by introducing a rent cap

AdviceUK thinks that it is also essential that the CSR makes funding available to support the advice sector and those seeking advice. In particular, the CSR should: –

  • Protect the legal aid budget
  • Increase funding to support Litigants in Person
  • Protect local authority funding for advice
  • Provide more direct funding to the independent advice sector

AdviceUK’s Policy and Campaigns Co-ordinator David Hawkes said: “Households have been under financial strain for more than a decade and the pandemic has exacerbated the pressures faced by many families. It is essential that the Comprehensive Spending Review makes funding available to alleviate these problems, as well as providing additional support to the advice sector so that it can help people to improve their lives.”

For further information please contact influencing.

 Latest News 

The Government’s Spending Review announced this week commits major public service funding and contains several measures that could significantly impact low-income households and the advice sector. We welcome announcements that aim to tackle poverty including the expansion of free school meals and Winter Fuel Allowance eligibility, the 10 Year Affordable Homes Programme and the Warm […]

Woman in a wheelchair working with young daughter and son beside her.

AdviceUK has been appointed by the Scottish Government to distribute and manage the Advice in Accessible Settings fund. The fund, which began delivery in 2023 is being continued and increased in 2025-26 with of £1 525,000.00 available in small grants this year to be distributed to members who provide a holistic money and debt, welfare […]

The Chancellor yesterday announced the Government’s latest economic plans during the Spring Statement. While we welcome plans to build more affordable housing and support people into work, we are deeply concerned that the Chancellor’s announcement confirms that the devastating disability benefit cuts announced last week will be expanded further. According to Office for Budget Responsibility […]

Our Chief Executive, Liz Bayram, has written to the DWP Secretary of State, Liz Kendall, expressing profound concerns about newly announced welfare reforms. These changes—particularly proposed cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP)—risk exacerbating financial hardship for disabled people and further pushing demand for independent advice services. AdviceUK is calling for the urgent reconsideration of these […]