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]
Last Chance to Sign Up for the 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
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HOUSING
41% of Renters Forced to Ration Gas and Electricity to Afford Energy Bills: New research from Citizens Advice finds more than two in five private renters (41%, equivalent to 4.5 million people) in England and Wales had to ration gas and electricity to afford their energy bills last winter. Meanwhile a third (32%, equivalent to 3.5 million) struggled to heat their home to a comfortable temperature. This forced people to take drastic measures like skip hot meals, wear gloves inside, and limit heating to just one room.
With winter fast approaching and bills 50% higher than they were before 2021’s energy crisis, Citizens Advice warns heat leaking from shoddy homes is burning a hole in renters’ pockets – something they have no power to fix. This comes weeks after the Citizens Advice warned poor quality housing is also making homes unbearably hot to live in during summer.
Renters are currently at the mercy of landlords for essential maintenance like installing effective insulation or fixing draughty windows and doors. But concerningly, nearly a third (29%) of renters avoid asking for repairs or renovations because they fear rent hikes or creating tension with their landlord. Of the 30% who have asked, 13% said their landlord imposed conditions, like higher rent, while 7% said their landlord outright refused.
Citizens Advice is calling for strong enforcement of the Renters’ Rights Bill so that tenants have the security they need to ask for upgrades and repairs.
BENEFITS
£24 Billion of Support is Unclaimed: According to researchers at Policy in Practice, in 2025/26 an estimated £24.1 billion in means-tested benefits and social tariffs is expected to go unclaimed across Great Britain. Making sure this support reaches the people who need it could help improve living standards, prevent financial difficulties, and reduce pressure on public services. However, much of it remains inaccessible to those who are eligible.
This figure reflects both recent changes in welfare policy and improvements in how unclaimed support is measured. While it appears higher than the £22.7 billion estimated in 2024, differences in data sources and methodology mean the two figures cannot be directly compared.
The largest amounts of unclaimed financial support are found in Universal Credit, Council Tax Support and Carer’s Allowance, suggesting where targeted efforts could have the greatest financial effect. At the same time, the highest numbers of missed claims relate to broadband social tariffs, water discounts and Council Tax Support, underlining the need to improve visibility and access to help with everyday essential costs.
“Ramped Up Job Support” for People on Benefits: The Department for Work an Pensions has said that every Jobcentre in England, Wales, and Scotland is now “covered with Pathways to Work advisers, who aim to support 65,000 people this financial year”. Pathways to Work Advisers are more commonly known as work coaches. According to the DWP, advisers will “give people the skills they need to move into good, secure jobs and out of poverty as part of Plan for Change”.
Closed Period Supersessions: In SSSWP v SC [2025] UKUT 299 (AAC) the Upper Tribunal considered when a closed period supersession can be used in a benefit claim. This legal mechanism allows a benefit award to remain in place even if there is a temporary break in entitlement.
The case involved two claimants who lost entitlement to Universal Credit and Housing Benefit while abroad. Decisions to end their benefits were made while they were still outside the UK. Because both intended to return, the question was whether a closed period supersession could cover the gap and allow entitlement to resume automatically.
The Upper Tribunal held that this was not possible. A closed period supersession cannot apply if the Department for Work and Pensions ends the benefit before the claimant becomes entitled again. For a closed period supersession to be valid, the following conditions must be met:
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There is an award of benefit that is still running up to the date of the supersession decision
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The benefit award was made by a final decision, which can only be changed through revision, supersession or appeal
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There is a legal ground for changing the award, and the facts support that change
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The outcome of the supersession must follow logically from the reason given for making the change
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The claimant was previously paid benefit under a valid and lawful award
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The new decision replaces the original award, creating a defined break in entitlement, while allowing any remaining periods of entitlement to continue
This case confirms that a closed period supersession is only an option when the original benefit award is still in effect at the point the decision is made.
Treatment of ‘Vulnerable’ Claimants by Tribunals: PB v SSWP UA-2024-001612-PIP provides guidance on how tribunals should treat vulnerable claimants. The claimant, PB, had diagnoses including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse. Based on this and the supporting medical evidence, the Upper Tribunal found that the First-tier Tribunal should have recognised PB as a vulnerable adult and followed appropriate procedures to help gather the best possible evidence from him.
The tribunal’s failure to make reasonable adjustments to support PB’s full participation in the hearing was found to be a legal error.
IMMIGRATION
Asylum Support – Extensions and Reinstatement:
The Home Office has issued a revised policy on ceasing asylum support. This includes a new section on when support can be reinstated or extended despite a discontinuation letter. Examples include:
- An error on the eVisa which means the individual is unable to use it, for example to claim benefits or social housing, or to establish a right to rent
- The asylum or discontinuation of support decision has not been served correctly
- Safeguarding or health reasons
- Court orders and appeals
Safeguarding can also include where:
- A disability has been overlooked – so the move-on period should be 56 days
- A client can’t move into new accommodation until it’s been adapted
A request for reinstatement or an extension) should be sent with supporting evidence to the Home Office via Migrant Help.
You can find out how to contact Migrant Help on their website.
Where the request is for safeguarding or health reasons, email positivemoveon@migranthelpuk.
You should get a decision by email within 5 working days of receipt, unless it’s a problem with the eVisa. If the Home Office isn’t given an email address, they’ll send it by post to the address on the request. If that was your office address, you’ll need to tell the client as soon as you get it.
ENERGY
One in Five Struggled to Pay Water Bill in Last Year: New research from Citizens Advice has revealed that almost one in five bill payers struggled to cover their water bill in the last year, with over a fifth (21%) of those having difficulties getting into debt with their supplier as a result.
- Households rocked by soaring water bills, with more than two fifths (42%) of those finding it hard to keep pace forced to cut back on groceries and energy as a result.
- Over a third of those struggling (35%) are rationing water, including by cutting showers, toilet flushes and clothes washing.
- Higher bills since April kick-started problems for a third of those (31%) facing difficulties.
Though there are benefits to being cautious with water use, Citizens Advice is concerned about the water rationing it’s uncovered. Three quarters of those (75%) cutting water use because they had difficulties affording it are reducing bathing or showering, while 63% are limiting toilet flushes and 77% washing clothes less often.
Citizens Advice says it wants to see the government design support in a way which means low-income households can be automatically enrolled, as is already in place for the Warm Home Discount Scheme for energy bill payers.
CONSUMER
The “Murky Practice” of Hidden Broadband Deals: Mobile and broadband companies are not being upfront about better renewal deals that could save consumers £325 a year, according to new research by colleagues at Citizens Advice.
- The practice of of hidden deals causes loyal customers to jump through hoops.
- Three quarters of people trying to negotiate for a better renewal deal face difficulties in the process, including being left on hold or navigating confusing call menus.
- Citizens Advice calls for pricing transparency to stop customers paying over the odds.
The research has revealed that instead of automatically offering existing customers their most competitive price, providers are penalising consumers, with three million people paying over the odds for their contracts.
On average, people who call and negotiate for money off their bills can save more than £325 a year combined for mobile and broadband bills. As a result, the charity estimates that collectively, loyal consumers who don’t negotiate are losing out on £28m in savings every month.
Digital Line switchover: In January 2027 the old landline phone network will be switched off. It’s being replaced by a digital network that uses the internet to make phone calls. A reminder that the Digital Phone Switchover website has information on the switchover process. Anyone with a telecare device should let their provider know, even if they aren’t being switched over yet.
You can read more about the switchover on the digital phone switchover website.
BT will be doing drop in customer events in October to explain what is happening with the switchover and to provide support. These are the dates and locations for Dorset:
21.10.2025 and 22.10.2025, 10:00 – 16:00, Poole Central Library, The Dolphin Centre, Kingland Road, Poole BH15 1QE
23.10.2025, 10:00 – 16:00, Westbourne Library, Alum Chine Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth BH4 8DX
24.10.2025 and 28.10.2025, 10:00 – 16:00, Digital skills Hub, 30-32 Royal Arcade, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 4BT
29.10.2025, 10:00 – 16:00, BT Truck, Beaufort Community Centre, Beaufort Road, Southbourne BH6 5LB
30.10.2025, 10:00 – 16:00, Burton and Winkton Parish Council & Community Centre, Sandy Plot, Burton, Christchurch BH23 7LG
31.10.2025, 10:00 – 16:00, Mudeford Wood Community Centre, Pipers Dr, Christchurch BH23 4TR
EMPLOYMENT
Employment Rights Bill – House of Commons Rejects Lords’ Amendments: The House of Commons has rejected the non-governmental amendments passed by the House of Lords, including a six month qualifying period for unfair dismissal, and the requirement for zero hours workers to make a request for a guaranteed hours contract rather than the employer having a duty to offer one. The bill now returns to the House of Lords to consider the Commons’ objections.
Research and Reports
The Hidden Cost of Homelessness: Citizens Advice have published a new report on how the cost of living in temporary accommodation is pushing families deeper into poverty. Read it here.
Who Will Care?: A new piece of research from the Institute for Public Policy Research traces the history around care transformation over the last century, and explores the ways in which the work of caring is undervalued and therefore politically sidelined. Read it here.
A Minimum Income Standard for the United Kingdom in 2025: This paper from the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) at Loughborough University sets out what households need to reach a Minimum Income Standard (MIS) in 2025. MIS is a level of income that is needed for a minimum socially acceptable standard of living. The paper shows that little has changed in the past year, with income from work and from benefits falling short of providing what people need to live with dignity. Read it here.
Upcoming Events & Training
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.
Safeguarding for Trustees, Wednesday 8 October, 13:30 – 14:30, Online: This session, run by Dorset Community Action, looks at what policies and procedures are needed to ensure that service-users, volunteers and staff are kept safe. It concentrates on what trustees, especially those running community spaces, need to know and to do. Sign up here.
Transforming Health and Care Together: Working in Partnership, Wednesday 8 October, 10:00 – 13:00 : It has been seven months since the beginning of the urgent and emergency care transformation in Dorset and Our Dorset welcome you to join them at their second event in conjunction with the Dorset VCS Alliance to talk with about how to work together in partnership. There will be an opportunity to understand the progress of key programmes under the Our Dorset Transforming Health and Care Together banner, including Thriving Communities, Fulfilled Lives, Integrated Neighborhood Teams and the FutureCare Programmes.
Attendees will be able to talk to the FutureCare Programme team, members of the Transfer of Care team, reablement providers, commissioners and other system leaders to share thoughts on how your organisation can contribute to FutureCare and play a bigger part in improving health and care outcomes for the residents of Dorset. Sign up here.
Funding
Community and Culture Project Fund Round 10: The fund provides small grants to organisations who want to start new activities and events that benefit the local community. We prioritise applications that supports residents and those groups that are marginalised, disadvantaged or hard to reach. The fund is a small project grant, funding up to 80% of total project costs. Grants are from £1,000 to £5,000.
The key dates for this round are:
- Opens for new applications at 9am on Friday, 3 October 2025
- Closes for applications at midnight on Friday, 21 November 2025
- Panels will convene in December 2025
- Awards by the end of December 2025
Further details can be found here.
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 fund is now open – the deadline is midday, October 13. Please click here for all the information about the fund.
Wessex Water Community Fund: This fund is now open – the deadline to apply is 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.
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. Applications close on: 30/01/2026. Click here for all the details.