Responding to today’s Budget, AdviceUK welcomed the Chancellor’s measures to reduce household energy costs and the Energy Debt Circuit Breaker strategy, including targeted debt relief, support with repayments and reforms to supplier practices. AdviceUK has long called for stronger relationships between energy suppliers and free, independent advice services. The Government must now set out how […]

Imagine receiving a letter saying your benefits are being stopped, a legal letter warning of court action over a debt or discovering that your landlord may be breaking the law. You need to understand the implications of the letter, what your rights are, what you can do and how quickly you need to act. Where […]

Everyday free and independent advice services stop from people being evicted from their homes, from spiralling into unmanageable debt, and help them get the benefits and other support they need to live their lives to the full.

The findings of AdviceUK’s first ever national poll on public attitudes to advice (published today) shows that the public understands the value of advice services more clearly than policymakers sometimes do.

Responding to the Chancellor of Exchequer’s first speech today on the economy, Dr Zubaida Haque, Head of Policy, Programmes and Media at AdviceUK said: “It’s welcome news that the economy is turning a corner. But for many people across the country, that recovery has yet to be felt in their day-to-day lives. “Our members at […]

AdviceUK has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a £343 million investment in new neighbourhood mental health centres across England, but says the success of the programme will depend on ensuring free and independent advice services are embedded alongside NHS care. The Government has announced plans to open up to 159 new community mental health facilities, […]

AdviceUK has today written to the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham MP, congratulating him on his appointment and setting out why free and independent advice services must be recognised as a critical part of delivering the Government’s priorities. In the letter, AdviceUK highlights the vital role advice services play in helping people understand their rights, access […]

AdviceUK welcomes the Timms Review interim report’s finding that the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process is “dehumanising” and “degrading”, saying it reflects what free and independent advice services have been seeing for years.  The UK’s largest network of independent advice organisations says the current PIP system places an enormous burden not only on disabled people but also on the advice services supporting them. Around […]

Responding to the National Audit Office report, Liz Bayram, Chief Executive of AdviceUK said: “The National Audit Office (NAO) is right: too many people are struggling with essential household bills because they simply don’t know that support is available. Our 700 members who provide free and independent advice regularly help people access social tariffs, negotiate […]

AdviceUK has warned that cuts or tighter eligibility rules for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) could push free and independent advice services beyond breaking point, increasing hardship for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, while driving further demand for crisis support. AdviceUK member organisations, providing frontline welfare benefits advice, have said that even tentative discussions of possible PIP cuts are already leading to increased anxiety and demand for support. In its response to the Timms Review, which […]

AdviceUK has welcomed reports that the Milburn Review will call for a “system reset” to tackle rising youth unemployment and economic inactivity, but warns that reform will fail unless the Government recognises the critical role free and independent advice services play in supporting young people facing barriers to work and training.  AdviceUK, the UK’s largest network […]