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 proposals and for proper engagement with Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations, ensuring that any future system is co-designed with those who will be most affected. Read our full letter below.
Dear Secretary of State,
I am writing on behalf of AdviceUK, the largest network of independent advice services in England, Wales and Scotland, representing over 700 social welfare advice centres across the country. Our members provide advice on a broad range of issues, including welfare benefits, debt, housing, and immigration to 2.8 million people annually.
We are deeply concerned by the welfare reform measures announced this week. While we understand the importance of ensuring the welfare system is effective and sustainable, we believe many of the cuts and changes proposed will be damaging to those most in need. We are particularly concerned about the cut to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which lacks any clear employment rationale.
According to our latest Advice Saves Report, from 1 September 2023 to 18 September 2024, AdviceUK members handled 28,412 PIP-related cases, making it the single largest welfare advice issue our members face. They will now face the prospect of supporting disabled clients through stressful assessments and appeals under a new system. Alongside these cuts, the abolition of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), whilst clearly not currently fit for purpose, and changes to the health element of Universal Credit risk causing further harm to those who rely on this essential support.
AdviceUK’s Advice Saves Lives Report also highlighted the strain faced by the independent advice sector. The report found that 80% of advice centres are experiencing increased demand, while 65% report insufficient funding to meet needs. Furthermore, our Voices of Deaf and Disabled People Report has revealed that 93% of Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs) have seen a rise in demand for welfare advice, with 76% unable to meet this demand. These findings highlight an urgent reality: the proposed reforms risk further overwhelming advice services that are already operating under severe constraints, leaving many without essential support.
We do welcome the announcement that the Government will invest an additional £1bn per year by 2029/30 to deliver personalised employment support to individuals with health conditions or disabilities. It is imperative that independent advice agencies can access this funding so that those providing employment advice can continue to support disabled people to enter or sustain employment. Deaf and disabled people’s advice organisations are also significant employers of disabled people, and their work must be recognised and funded.
These proposed cuts to PIP must be urgently reconsidered, as they will cause profound hardship for individuals who rely on this support and further stretch advice agencies—without delivering clear employment benefits. Work assessments and other new processes need to be co-designed with disabled people and with deaf and disabled people’s advice organisations. While we welcome the announcement of additional funding to support disabled people in accessing employment opportunities, this funding must be made available to independent advice agencies as they provide vital frontline services and can help disabled people navigate the path into work.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns further with you, your ministerial colleagues, and senior officials to share our members’ expertise and ensure that their voices are integral to any further policy decisions.
Yours sincerely,
Liz Bayram
Chief Executive, AdviceUK
