Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will hold discussions with AdviceUK on the potential impact of her reforms to disability benefits on demand for independent advice services.

This government values the input of stakeholders, disabled people and representative organisations. Ahead of the formal consultation for the Green Paper, we engaged with a number of organisations, and we continue to explore ways of involving stakeholders in our reforms. This includes through the PIP review, collaboration committees and the Disability Advisory Panel. I also continue to meet with a range of charities, organisations and individuals.

The Green Paper consultation further offers the opportunity for organisations, as well as claimants themselves, to provide input and help shape the reform proposals. We hope to hear from a wide range of voices and encourage organisations to respond to the consultation to share their views and expertise, before it closes on the 30 June.

We will continue to consider the potential impacts of reforms as part of our wider consideration of responses to the consultation, including any impacts on services.