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 […]

Following a successful competitive tendering and procurement exercise, AdviceUK has been appointed by the Scottish Government once again, to distribute and manage the Advice in Accessible Settings fund. The fund, which began delivery in 2023 is being continued and increased in 2026-29 with up to £1.8 million available in small grants each year for the next 3 years, […]

Drawing on the experiences of its member organisations, which provide frontline, independent and free immigration and asylum advice, AdviceUK has responded to the Home Office’s “The new Independent Appeals Body” consultation.   We support the Government’s efforts  to reduce delays and backlogs in the immigration and asylum appeals system. However, the current proposals set out in the consultation are unlikely to achieve these aims. If anything, they risk creating further inefficiencies, delays, and exacerbating existing problems in the system.   Our members in the immigration and asylum advice sector tell us that the […]

Responding to the BBC’s report on rogue immigration advisers, Dr Zubaida Haque, Head of Policy, Programmes and Media at AdviceUK said:   “We are really saddened to hear people desperately needing advice are exploited by rogue immigration advisers charging extortionate fees for poor and negligent advice. Our members in the independent advice sector regularly observe this. The impact on individuals can be catastrophic. The Brushstrokes […]

The Home Office has launched a new consultation seeking views on proposed reforms to the asylum appeals system. The consultation, launched by the Home Office, is part of the Government’s plan to overhaul the asylum appeals system by creating a new independent appeals body. The deadline to submit evidence is on 22 April and AdviceUK […]

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a public call for evidence to inform the Timms Review into Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This consultation provides an important opportunity for AdviceUK members to help shape the future of disability benefits policy. As part of the Government’s wider reforms to the health and disability benefits […]