Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help improve the availability of (a) free and (b) independent benefits-related advice services in Nottingham.

The Department for Work and Pensions signposts customers to the following services in Nottingham, with which it has an active relationship.

• Meadows Advice Centre
• St. Annes Advice - Disability Employment Advisers have a strong relationship with this organisation to support customers with Mental Health conditions.
• Clifton Advice Centre
• Bestwood Advice Centre
• West Bridgford Advice Centre
• Nottinghamshire Deaf Society
• Disability Support - benefit support for those with disabilities
• Nottingham City Council has a benefits team, and specifically one for carers

St Anne’s Advice, Disability Support and Citizens Advice Centre all recently attended a DWP Health and Wellbeing event, to support customers with health conditions, and regularly attend our Disability Employment Adviser Cafes which provide an informal environment in Nottingham where the DWP works in collaboration with partners to support customers.