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Government reforms to support for sick and disabled people “not fit for purpose"  

20 June 2014

The Chief Executive of Citizens Advice has said that the Government's disability benefits changes need "root and branch reform". A report published today by the Public Accounts Committee criticises the Government's new Personal Independence Payment and comes on the back of confirmation last week that more than 700,000 people are waiting to be assessed for Employment Support Allowance, which is given to people with sickness and disability.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive, Gillian Guy, said:

"The Government's disability reforms are not fit for purpose. At Citizens Advice we've dealt with more than 100,000 problems with Personal Independence Payment since it was introduced last year. The problems with PIP are the tip of the iceberg, as Employment Support Allowance for sick and disabled people is now the single biggest issue which our clients need help with.

"No one knows when a major accident or illness could turn their life upside down. It's vital that ministers sort out the flaws in the safety net there to protect people with health problems. Delays of six months or more, wrong assessments by Government contractors and charges for medical evidence to appeal against decisions are major obstacles to sick and disabled people getting the vital help that they need.

"More than 5,000 people have signed our petition to make ESA fit for work and with Atos withdrawing from its Government contract, ministers now have the chance to carry out root and branch reform and get the system sorted."

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.