Welcome to this week’s E News on the Citizens Advice Dorset website. 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.
You can now subscribe to the newsletter (it is free and 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.
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]
Event: Advice Dorset Partnership – Getting Ready for Winter Workshop
Don’t forget to sign up for our winter Advice Dorset Partnership Event in October. This event will include informative workshops designed to equip partners with up-to-date knowledge on the following:
- The Welfare Benefits System
- Energy Advice
- Debt and Budgeting
.
Information Updates
COST OF LIVING
2025 September Cost-of-Living-Crisis-factsheet
BENEFITS
Takeaways from the DWPs Recent Pension Credit Statistics: The latest data from the DWP on Pension Credit reveals a 16% decrease in applications from the comparable period last year – settling at around 4,000 per week. The statistics showed a big spike in applications in July 2024 when the government announced the winter fuel payments cut. The policy reversal in June 2025 doesn’t appear to have affected claim numbers. There are still circa 700,000 eligible pensioner households missing out on support according to the Work and Pensions Committee who are calling for a Pension Credit take-up strategy for England by the end of 2025.
DWP Corrects Guidance for ESA Claimants Moving to Universal Credit: The DWP has corrected its online guidance to clarify claimant commitment requirements in new-style employment and support allowance (NS ESA) for claimants of contribution-based employment and support allowance (CB ESA) migrating to universal credit.
Following a report in the rightsnet discussion forum of a CB ESA claimant in the support group who, on migration to universal credit received an award that did not include the limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) element, the Department committed to amending gov.uk guidance, which previously read:
‘If you were also getting a contribution-based ESA, as well as, or as part of, your income-related ESA claim, you will start to get new-style ESA instead. You do not need to do anything to start getting new-style ESA. The new-style ESA part of your claim will be transferred automatically.
The amount you get from new-style ESA will be deducted from your Universal Credit amount.’
The gov.uk guidance on Moving from ‘old types’ of ESA now says:
‘If you were also getting a contribution-based ESA, as well as, or as part of, your income-related ESA claim, you will start to get new-style ESA instead. DWP will contact you to schedule an appointment that you must attend. It will normally be over the phone with a work coach from your local Jobcentre Plus office. Your work coach will explain what you need to do to get new-style ESA. They will create an agreement with you called a ‘Claimant Commitment’. You must agree to your ‘Claimant Commitment’ before you can get new-style ESA.
The amount you get from new-style ESA will be deducted from your Universal Credit amount.’
Compensation for Client Who Was Not Invited to Claim PIP: The client was receiving the care component of DLA whilst resident in Spain. In 2016, she notified DWP that her condition had deteriorated, but DWP took no action until 2019 (after the client had contacted them again), when they invited her to claim PIP. She was subsequently awarded the enhanced rate of PIP daily living from December 2019. The client complained and was awarded a consolatory payment of £100, which was upheld by the Independent Case Examiner.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found that DWP had failed to apply Reg 3 SS (PIP) (TP) Regs, which requires that they invite a person to claim PIP “as soon as reasonably practicable” following the notification of a change of circumstances. They recommended that DWP award the client an amount equivalent to the PIP she would have received (less the DLA she did receive), as well as compensatory payments, which in total amounted to over £10,000.
You can read the decision on the PHSO website.
HOUSING
Changes to Rent Increases in the Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB): When the RRB commences, all new assured tenancies will be periodic and landlords will be required to use the section 13 procedure for any rent increase. The period of the section 13 notice will increase to 2 months. In its current draft, the RRB provides that where the FTT determines a change to the rent it will become effective from the date of determination, or the start of the next rent period after that if different. The FTT will be able to delay the start of the new rent by 2 further months in the event of ‘undue hardship’.
The RRB is currently in its final stages in Parliament and amendments are expected to be considered by the House of Commons from 8 September 2025. You can download the RRB and track its progress on the UK Parliament website.
IMMIGRATION
Suspension of Refugee Family Reunion: The Government has announced that it will be temporarily suspending family reunion (FR) for refugees with a change in the immigration rules expected imminently. Once the new rules come into force, refugees will have to satisfy the more restrictive conditions under Appendix FM, if they want their family to join them here in the UK. We do not have an implementation date yet and we will update more on the details of the changes once they have been released. Advisers should be aware that clients may want to make applications before the rule changes when referring a FR case to a level 2 adviser.
Asylum Support Move-On Period Reduces to 28 Days: As of 1 September, the move-on period for single adult asylum seekers who are granted refugee status changed from 56 days to 28 days. The 28 days runs from the date on the Asylum Support Discontinuation Letter from Asylum Accommodation. During this period asylum support will continue and a refugee can continue to remain in the asylum support accommodation. There is an exception for those who are pregnant, over the age of 65 or have a ‘known/evidenced disability, as defined by the 2010 Equality Act’. Couples, and asylum seekers with children will also stay on the current 56 day move on period ‘pilot’. That pilot is extended until the end of December, when it will be evaluated. You can read more about this on Workvivo.
SCAMS
FCA Scams: There have been 5,000 reports of scammers pretending to be the Financial Conduct Authority in the first half of 2025. Fraudsters have claimed that the FCA has recovered funds from a crypto wallet opened illegally in the individual’s name. Fraudsters have also told loan scam victims that their creditors have taken out a county court judgment against them. They have then told the victim that they need to pay the FCA monies owed. FCA advises:
- If someone contacts you unprompted, whether by phone, text, email or WhatsApp, be alert
- Never hand over sensitive personal information, like bank account PINs and passwords
- If you’re unsure, get in touch with the FCA using the online contact form
You can read ‘Almost 5,000 fake FCA scams reported in first 6 months of 2025’ on the FCA website.
ENERGY
Price Cap Announcement: From 1 October to 31 December 2025, the new Ofgem price cap means a household with typical energy use on a variable dual gas and electricity tariff will pay:
- £1,755 a year if they pay by direct debit
- £1,890 if they pay by standard credit (on receipt of their bill)
- £1,707 if they have a prepayment meter
Prices are worked out per unit of energy used. If consumers use more they will pay more. The exact rate and standing charge will depend on the region where the consumer lives. The change means an increase of £35 per year across all payment methods compared to the previous price cap.
Responding to the price cap, Gillian Cooper, Director of Energy at Citizens Advice, said:
“Today’s announcement means the price cap will remain drastically higher than before the energy crisis. With millions of households already in debt as the colder months draw in, this news offers no comfort.
“The government has made welcome changes to expand the number of people who’ll receive support with their energy bills this winter, but it’s not enough to turn the tide. Our advisers are bracing for more calls as people struggle to top up their meters and pay the gas bill.
“It’s high time for decisions about the longer term. The government must set out plans for how it will support the households struggling the most over the coming years and also prioritise investing in energy upgrades for millions of homes, to reduce costs and keep money in people’s pockets.”
OTHER
National Emergency Alert Test: At around 3pm on Sunday 7 September 2025, the government will send a national emergency alert test to all mobile phones in the UK. You can read about the alert test on GOV.UK. This is the second national test, the first being in April 2023, which is designed to “strengthen the country’s preparedness” if there was an emergency such as extreme weather or a danger to life.
During the test, there will be a loud siren like sound and vibration on each mobile in the UK which will last around 10 seconds, this includes mobiles which have been placed on silent mode. There will then be a message sent to the phone to confirm that the alert is only a test. For those who have a hidden or second mobile phone, this alert could place them at risk of harm. For help on how to opt out of the emergency alert test, you can read the guide on emergency alerts on the refuge website. The page provides step by step instructions on how to turn off the alert.
Research and Reports
Not So Universal: The Two-Tiered Health Element. How the Universal Credit Bill Will Create a Two-Tiered System for Disabled People. A new report from Citizens Advice outlines the problems with the new Universal Credit Bill (UC Bill), arguing that it will force more disabled people into poverty or deeper poverty. Read the report here.
Increasing Voluntary Engagement with Employment Support: A new report by the New Economics Foundation detailing findings from test and learn pilot that provides some key recommendations to national and local government around increasing LCWRA group engagement with employment support. Read the findings here.
Building a Pro-Worker AI Innovative Strategy: The TUC has produced an extensive report on Artificial Intelligence which stresses, amongst other things, the importance of including workers in decision making around how AI is used. They make the point that historically, technological advancement benefits workers only when workers are empowered. Read the full report here.
Upcoming Events & Training
Unravelling Complexity to Raise Living Standards, Thursday 25 September, Online: Join the Citizens Advice policy team for their latest Data Insights event, to discuss how genuine cross-government working could help get support to more people, faster. They will share new findings on the complexity of clients’ needs, and how data can help identify those most in need of support. Sign up here.
Get Grants Free Virtual Conference, Tuesday 7 October – Wednesday 8 October, 10:00 – 15:00, Online: Over 2 days, Get Grants FREE Virtual Conference will bring together thousands of Fundraisers from across the UK for a programme led by Get Grants Experts, funders, and other experts from across the sector. Expect expert advice, top tips, Q&As, networking, peer-support, and lots of chat! As with everything we do, every session will have practical support and advice that you can take away and put into practice. Book a place here.
National Rural Conference, Monday 15 September – Thursday 18 September, Online: Aimed at Senior Officers, Members and policy makers along with those working to deliver services in rural areas this conference is an exciting opportunity to hear from expert speakers, network with like minded colleagues and share learning and rural experiences. Book here.
Level 2 Safeguarding Training with Online Safety, Saturday 13 September 09:30 – 16:00, Tinney’s Youth Club Sherborne: This training is suitable for anyone working with children and young people across Dorset that have not attended Level 2 training before. Book here.
How to Handle Volunteer Complaints, Tuesday 23 September, 10:30 – 12:00, online: Managing concerns and complaints from volunteers is essential for maintaining trust, safeguarding wellbeing and strengthening your volunteer involvement. In this session, attendees will learn how to create a safe environment where volunteers feel confident to raise concerns, and how to respond appropriately when they do. Book here.
Funding
BCP Food & Energy Support Fund: This fund is available for organisations that work in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole who support BCP households impacted by the rising cost of living. Grants can be awarded for crisis support and for longer term services which prevent vulnerable households from falling into – or falling further into – crisis. The next round of this fund opens on September 17 – the deadline is midday, October 13. Please click here for all the information about the fund.
Wessex Water Community Fund: The next round of this fund will open on September 22, 2025 and the deadline to apply will be midday, October 20, 2025. They have £70,000 to distribute in this round. The Wessex Water Community Fund aims to support community-based activities or projects that meet a local need and seek to improve the lives of local people who are most in need of support. For all the details click here.
Talbot Village Trust: The Small Grants Programme offers individual grants of up to £5,000. Funding can be used to cover core or operating costs, project expenses, or small capital items, such as equipment purchases or minor repairs. The total funding available through the programme is £100,000. It is open to organisations with an annual turnover of less than £250,000. Funding decisions are expected to be made by mid to late October. More information can be found here.
SNG Thriving Communities Fund Launched: Launched on 23 June, the Thriving communities fund is aimed at supporting not-for-profit groups and organisations to deliver cohesive, sustainable, and resilient communities. Click here for all the details.
BCP Thriving Communities Fund: Dorset Community Foundation are offering grants of up to £5,000 supporting capital costs to improve community buildings. The grants are to support capital improvements, for community groups running community buildings in BCP that provide facilities for local community-led groups and activities. Further details can be found here.
Local Alliance Group Funding: Do you have a project you are setting up to support children, young people and families? The Local Alliance Group (LAG) are once more inviting applicants to apply for:
- funding up to £5000 for individual groups/schools, or
- funding up to £20,000 for consortium applications from a group of settings (such as schools, individuals or organisations are also encouraged)
Further details can be found here.
