In a reception sponsored by Labour MP for Battersea Marsha de Cordova last Tuesday (13 January 2026), held to celebrate its 50th birthday, NAWRA formally launched its campaign calling for advice to be a statutory duty available equally to all who need it and free at the point of delivery.
Opening the event, Ms de Cordova highlighted that research shows that for every £1 invested in free, specialist advice, £2.71 is saved in public costs and she added –
From my own constituency, I know the vital role organisations such as Citizens Advice, Age UK and the law centre play in supporting my constituents. And from my own casework, issues around social security benefits, housing and immigration feature heavily.
Securing justice for people alongside wider economic benefits lie at the heart of the call for a statutory duty to provide that social welfare rights advice. Timely advice can prevent delays and errors in decision-making, avoid unnecessary and costly tribunal hearings, and help prevent addictions, homelessness and mounting debt…
I look forward to a better and brighter future where no one is left without vital advice and support that they need.
Join NAWRA’s call for advice to be a statutory duty.