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, BUT if there is something urgent in-between we will send out a short supplementary edition. The E news works in financial years, so this is edition 1 of 2024/5!
Please can you now subscribe to the newsletter (it is still FREE but in future you will get an automatic notification when it is published) – and do encourage colleagues to subscribe too. The Subscribe option is at the bottom of this page! So far I can see that over 100 people have subscribed; if you haven’t done so already please do asap. From January 2024 you will not get the link sent by email.
If you would like to send anything out via the bulletin, and for all other enquiries about the Advice Dorset Partnership, contact Caroline Buxton at Citizens Advice Central Dorset: [email protected]
Information updates
COST OF LIVING
Whilst certain indicators appear more positive and the the energy price cap has fallen by about 12% (see Ofgem announcement) we still anticipate that many people will struggle financially over the next few months, and some of the support offered in the last 2 years (eg. cost of living payments) has ended. We will continue to maintain the monthly Quick Links fact sheet, as below:
2024 APRIL Cost-of-Living-Crisis-factsheet
VOTER ID: Please circulate this information as widely as possible:
- The deadline for registering to vote in the local elections on May 2 is Tuesday 16 April. Go to the govt website.
- Postal votes: the deadline for applying for a postal vote is 17 April. This can be done by post or online.
- Voting in person: voters will need to present photo ID in order to be able to vote in person. If they do not already have appropriate ID, they can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, either directly online via GOV.UK (they will have to upload a digital photo) or on a paper form (they have to provide a passport-style photo). The deadline to apply for a VAC is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April. More information from the Electoral Commission.
BENEFITS
Benefit uprating: New rates from April:
- Govt summary – here.
- Regulations: Tax Credits, Child Benefit, Guardian’s Allowance – here.
- Regulations: other benefits – here.
EMPLOYMENT
Flexible working: There are significant changes to rules for statutory flexible working requests, as from 6 April. For example, it’ll be a day one right, employers have less time to respond, workers must be consulted and they can make 2 requests in 12 months. However, it remains a right to request, not a right to have flexible working. To support these changes, a revised Acas draft code of practice on requests for flexible working establishes guidelines for making and responding to a statutory flexible working request. A new survey from Acas has found that 7 out of 10 employees (70%) are not aware that the law is changing to make it easier to request flexible working at work.
OTHER
Domestic Abuse Commissioner – virtual platform for survivors of domestic abuse: The platform known as ‘Voices’ will enable survivors of domestic abuse to ‘raise’ their voices to influence change in policies and stay connected to practise development. Survivors of domestic abuse or friends and family bereaved by domestic abuse, can sign up to the Voices newsletter which will provide updates on the domestic abuse sector, government, including research and relevant policies. As a part of this platform, survivors of domestic abuse can connect and share their experiences with organisations and in turn influence change. Read more here.
Scams and phishing: You can report misleading websites, emails, phone numbers, phone calls or text messages you think may be suspicious on this Govt page.
LOCAL NEWS
BCP Homelessness Partnership: This website has been recently launched – with advice for people facing homelessness and an opportunity to offer help or support..
New Dorset neurodiversity hub: NHS Dorset have launched the Dorset neurodiversity hub which signposts to a wide range of support, including peer support groups, local and national charities, online advice and guidance, and professional support.
Mobile dental unit? Dorset should be getting a mobile NHS dental unit as part of the dental care recovery plan, announced by the Government recently. The mobile units will be staffed with salaried dentists, nurses and technicians to see and treat patients who find it difficult or unaffordable to travel long distances to the nearest NHS permanent dental practices. This is reported in the Healthwatch article here.
Local Council Tax Support schemes: New schemes for the financial year 2024-5 are now in place – see:
Events
Citizens Advice Data Insights briefing: Tuesday 16 April (1.30-2.30pm), which will be live-streamed from our annual conference in Birmingham. In April’s briefing, we’ll discuss the value of civil society, the challenges charities face, and the opportunities to future-proof the sector with Matt Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer, Pro Bono Economics. Register via eventbrite.
Stop Loan Sharks training: An on-line session on the 21st May at 1030 -1200. It will include key things to look out for as a sign that a friend, client or colleague may be involved with a loan shark. The session will show the impact that illegal lenders have on victims and communities and how we can work together to stop people falling into the clutches of criminals. Register via eventbrite.
Research, reports, campaigns, etc
Pipped Off – the problem with PIP: More people have come to Citizens Advice about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) than any other benefit issue. It’s such an important lifeline for so many people, but the way the benefit is delivered creates unnecessary problems. With PIP set to take on an enhanced role in upcoming reforms to disability benefits, these issues will only grow if left unresolved. Read this adviser online article here.
Back to work: Reforms to the Work Capability Assessment announced in the Autumn Statement 2023 will “reduce by 66% the net flow of people forecast over five years to be assessed to have no work requirements as a result of their health condition”……This recent Policy in Practice report looks at the impact of past policies on levels of economic inactivity over time to see whether these assumptions are likely to increase the number of people claiming Universal Credit who are expected to look for work, and whether this is likely to be achieved for the right reasons.
#DigitalForAll campaign: Good Things Foundation’s new campaign draws attention to digital exclusion, promotes ways that people can get involved and fix digital exclusion, and spreads the word about free support to get online. read more here.
An unfair share – Local Housing Allowance is failing young people: This Citizens Advice report considers the design, operation and impact of the Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR), ie the rate of housing cost support available to benefit claimants under 35 years old, if they are single and do not have children. Read more here.
Funding news
Operation Relentless Community Fund: The Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is offering grants of between £100 and £5,000 for community groups, charities and community interest companies to deliver projects and activities that reduce incidences of antisocial behaviour and increase public safety in Dorset. The deadline to apply is 22 April 2024 (midday). More information here.
