Welcome to this week’s E News on the Citizens Advice Dorset website. Just a reminder that the Advice Dorset Partnership is a network of organisations providing advice and support to residents of Dorset and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole. It is managed by Citizens Advice and is open to any organisation which provides information, advice and support/guidance to local residents.
The Advice Dorset Partnership E news is published fortnightly on a Thursday. However, if there is something urgent in-between we will send out a supplementary edition.
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If you would like to send anything out via the bulletin, and for all other enquiries about the Advice Dorset Partnership, contact Thomas Hensher at Citizens Advice Central Dorset: [email protected]
Information Updates
BENEFITS
Spring Statement: Last week, the Chancellor presented the government’s plans to tackle fiscal challenges and drive economic growth. The proposed measures include substantial cuts to public spending and significant welfare reforms, both of which have faced intense criticism since their announcement. In response to the Spring Statement, Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:
“This government says it wants to drive up living standards and fight child poverty, but you can’t do that while taking a wrecking ball to the support people rely on.
“We know people are already struggling. Many really are facing an impossible choice between basic needs, like heating or eating. This is even worse than we were expecting and just piles on the pressure for those people already living on a financial knife edge.
“These looming benefit cuts will drive even more people into poverty, not lift them up. This isn’t just a spreadsheet. We’re talking about real lives, real people, real struggles.”
Green Paper – Pathways to Work: Citizens Advice is concerned that the cuts proposed in the green paper will not only force many disabled people into poverty and hardship, but will also fail to achieve the government’s stated goal of encouraging disabled individuals into employment. Furthermore, we are concerned that these cuts will undermine other critical government objectives, such as reducing child poverty. Nearly a third of the individuals we support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have dependent children, and these changes will only exacerbate the challenges they face.
Citizens Advice are most concerned about the following three proposed changes from the recent welfare reform proposals:
- The tightening of PIP eligibility
- Cuts to the UC health element of PIP
- Using PIP daily living as the sole gateway to UC health
In response to the proposed changes, Citizens Advice is asking the government to:
- Run a full consultation process on all proposed changes to health and disability benefits.
- Protect the most vulnerable by scrapping proposals to cut disability benefits.
The paper can be read here.
Changes to Universal Credit Deductions: Starting in April 2025, the maximum deduction from Universal Credit payments for loan and debt repayments will decrease from 25% to 15% of the standard allowance. This change aims to provide financial relief to approximately one million low-income households.
State Pensions: Under the government’s triple lock policy, the State Pension will see a 4.1% increase from 6 April 2025.
COST OF LIVING
April Quick Links fact sheet: 2024 APRIL Factsheet
EMPLOYMENT
Changes to Statuary Sick Pay: The following changes have come into effect:
- Effective from 6 April 2025, the weekly rate of SSP rises from £116.75 to £118.75.
- Previously, employees were eligible for SSP starting from the fourth day of illness. However, as of April 2025, this waiting period has been eliminated, allowing employees to receive SSP from the first day of sickness.
- The Lower Earnings Level (LEL), which determined the minimum earnings threshold to qualify for SSP, has been removed. Consequently, all employees, regardless of earnings level, are now entitled to SSP from the first day of illness.
National Living Wage: From 1 April 2025, the NLW for workers aged 21 and over increases by 6.7%, from £11.44 to £12.21 per hour. This change translates to an additional £1,400 annually for full-time workers.
National Minimum Wage: NMW rates have also been revised:
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Ages 18-20: Increased from £8.60 to £10.00 per hour.
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Ages 16-17 and Apprentices: Raised from £6.40 to £7.55 per hour
National Insurance Changes: Starting 6 April 2025, employers’ NICs increase from 13.8% to 15% on employee earnings. Additionally, the earnings threshold for NICs liability decreases from £9,100 to £5,000 per year, meaning employers will begin paying NICs at a lower earnings level.
RELATIONSHIPS
Online Misogyny: The Netflix series “Adolescence” will be streamed for free in UK secondary schools to spark discussions about the negative impacts of social media on children. Supported by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, this initiative aims to address the issues of misogyny and online radicalisation.
IMMIGRATION
Ukrainian Permission Extension Scheme: The UPE scheme is now open for Ukrainian refugees to apply for an 18-month extension to their residency in the UK. Ukrainians can only apply in 28 days before their current residency expires. Citizens Advice in Dorset can support applicants but we advise clients to book appointments to fall within the 28 day period far in advance of the 28 day window so that an appointment is available.
Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) for European citizens: The UK now requires European travelers to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before entering the country. The ETA will be a digital permission to travel, not a visa, and will authorise entry for tourism, business, or short-term study purposes. The ETA costs £10.
ENERGY
Increasing Energy Bills: This month will witness significant price increases in energy, and water bills. Energy bills are expected to go up by an average of £111. These increases are contributing to concerns about living costs, especially following the recent welfare cuts announced by the Chancellor. Read our recent report on why the government needs to act fast to address energy affordability.
Fuel Poverty in Rural Areas: The Rural Services Network have analysed the recent Department for Energy Security report and noted that households living in rural areas had the highest fuel poverty rate of 12.3 per cent and the largest fuel poverty gap. Read the full government report here.
OTHER
TV License Fee Increase: Starting April 1, 2025, the annual TV license fee has increased by £5, now totaling £174.50. This will put further pressure on residents who are already struggling with the cost of living.
Research and Reports
Living Standards Set to Fall: New modelling from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that living standards are set to fall across the rest of the decade, with the average family £750 worse off in real terms by April 2029 compared to now. Read the report here.
Child Poverty at Record High: New analysis from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) suggests child poverty will rise by the end of this parliament (2029/30). CPAGs figures are from the government’s recent Households Below Average Income (HBAI) statistics.
NEF Analysis on Proposed Benefits Cuts: Analysis from the New Economics Foundation suggests the economic impact of the proposed welfare reforms is going to be more severe than is being reported. Read the report here.
Further Comments on the Green Paper and Spring Statement: Organisations have continued to respond to the welfare reform proposals: Disability Rights UK, CPAG, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Benefits & Work, JRF, National Care Forum
Upcoming Events
Citizens Advice Data Insights Tue, 29 Apr 2025 14:00 – 15:00 (online): With rising numbers of families struggling, Citizens Advice explore what their data reveals about children trapped in poverty. Sign up here.
Volunteer Coordinator Network Tue, 8 Apr 2025 09:00 – 11:00 (The Focus Centre, Swanage): Volunteer Centre Dorset is excited to be running the Volunteer Coordinator Network (VCN).
The VCN will comprise of
- A monthly in-person gathering at a different venue across Dorset
- A virtual gathering every other month
- An online forum
This offers full-rounded support for people who coordinate, manage and support the wonderful volunteers across the Dorset Council area.
For a full list of dates and locations of the networking meetings, please visit https://www.volunteeringdorset.org.uk/volunteer-coordinator-network
Celebrating Women’s Health, Dorset Stakeholder Event: Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:30 – 15:00 (Dorchester Baptist Church): Since the launch of the NHS England Women’s Health Strategy in 2022, partners in Dorset have been working together on the Dorset Women’s Health Programme. On Thursday 24th April 2025 they are holding a celebration event to showcase the work that has been achieved and to give people the opportunity to have their say about what happens next. Further details can be found here.
Bowel Cancer Awareness : April is bowel cancer awareness month and Bowel Cancer Awareness UK are holding online talks to raise awareness about the disease. For more information and to sign up for one of the April talks visit this page.
Funding
National Lottery Community Fund: The National Lottery Community Fund has relaunched its Reaching Communities grant programme with new application priorities. The funder said the grant programme would prioritise projects that support people, places or communities that experience poverty, disadvantage and discrimination; and that meaningfully involve communities in steering the project. Find the details here.