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]
ADP Getting Ready for Winter – reminder to choose your workshops
Don’t forget to choose your workshops for the ADP 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 October Cost-of-Living-Crisis-factsheet
HOUSING
Phase One of Awaab’s Law: Awaab’s Law is a new law which will require social landlords to investigate and fix repairs within strict timeframes. Named after Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 due to respiratory issues from his home’s hazardous conditions, the government is introducing the law in phases. The first phase covers damp, mould, and emergency hazards. Subsequent phases, expanding to other hazards, will roll out through 2026 and 2027.
In July the government provided a draft set of regulations for the introduction of phase 1. The draft regulations have now been confirmed and come into force on 27 October 2025.
The key requirements within the regulations include:
- Investigation within 10 working days: If a landlord becomes aware of a potential hazard, they must investigate within 10 working days to determine if there is a risk
- Communication of findings: Landlords must provide tenants with a written summary of the investigation results within 3 working days of completing it
- Urgent repairs within 5 working days: If a significant hazard is identified, landlords must make the property safe using temporary measures within 5 working days and complete full repairs promptly
- Emergency hazards within 24 hours: For emergency hazards, landlords must respond and start action within 24 hours
- Alternative accommodation: If repairs can’t be completed quickly enough, landlords must offer suitable alternative accommodation at their expense until the home is safe
Electrical Safety Checks in the Social Rented Sector: In addition to Awaab’s law, the government announced in July 2025 its intention to extend the requirement to conduct electrical safety checks to the social rented sector. Draft regulations were provided in July 2025. The government has now confirmed these regulations.
Social landlords will be required to;
- conduct electrical installation checks at least every 5 years
- perform portable appliance testing (PAT) on electrical appliances provided to tenants as part of their tenancy at least every 5 years
The requirements will apply to new tenancies granted by social landlords from 1 December 2025 and to existing social tenancies from 1 May 2026.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Dorset Citizens’ Climate Panel: Dorset is introducing a new citizens’ panel aimed at involving residents in shaping the county’s response to climate change.
This panel will consist of a diverse group of individuals selected to represent the broader community. Participants will be given the opportunity to learn about climate-related challenges, engage with expert insights, consider a range of viewpoints, and collaborate to develop informed recommendations. The panel is set to begin its first session this weekend, marking the start of four scheduled meetings taking place throughout October and November. During these sessions, members will engage with expert speakers, examine the major climate issues affecting Dorset, and collaborate to create recommendations that will guide our climate adaptation efforts.
BENEFITS
Personal Independence Payment 2 Update: Clients and advisers are able to complete the PIP2 form online. Previously, claimants could download a copy of their completed form at the point of submission. However, this feature was temporarily removed earlier this year due to a “technical issue”.
A partial fix has now been implemented; the claimant can now login and view the information they submitted at any time. It’s still not possible to download the information but a feature that will allow this is in development and will be available in the future.
Crisis and Resilience Fund: Following the government’s announcement in the June Spending Review to merge the household support fund and discretionary housing payments (DHP’s) into a ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’, the DWP has now written to local councils to explain that there will be a ‘phased approach’ to integrating DHP’s within the fund.
Universal Credit Overpayments – Waiver of Recovery: A recent Freedom of Information request has again highlighted how few UC overpayments are ‘waived’ (written off) by DWP – in 2024/5 over 1 million UC overpayments occurred, with less than 100 of these being waived.
IMMIGRATION
NHS Charges for the Children of Refugees: The Department of Health has amended their guidance on charging for ‘secondary’ health care for dependents of refugees. This is most hospital treatment except accidents and emergencies, and for infectious diseases. The amendment followed a threat of legal action.
An exemption from charges already applies to anyone granted refugee status, or humanitarian protection. The exemption is backdated to their entry to the UK, if they intended to seek asylum. It also includes any period without permission to stay, provided it’s later granted.
The guidance has been amended to correctly include an exemption to charges for children of refugees born in the UK. Unlike other children born in the UK, the exemption from charges isn’t limited to the 3 months after they’re born. They are exempt regardless of whether they have permission.
If a refugees’ dependents are wrongly charged for treatment, then contact the hospital trust to ask for the bill to be withdrawn. Quote the guidance and ask for a refund for charges already paid.
Read ‘Charging overseas visitors in England: guidance for providers of NHS services’ on GOV.UK
ENERGY
Citizens Advice responds to the Water PR24 Price Redeterminations: Responding to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announcement on water PR24 price redeterminations , Anne Pardoe, Head of Policy at Citizens Advice, said:
“Ramping up water bills, when people up and down the country are already rationing showers and cutting down on laundry, is going to stretch budgets beyond breaking point.
“With a staggering one in five of households already struggling to cover their water bill in the last year, and more than two fifths (42%) of those cutting back on groceries and energy as a result, we need better bill support as a matter of urgency.
“Long overdue and much-needed investment in the sector can’t come at the cost of low-income households being pushed into hardship. The government needs to create a national social tariff, with eligible households automatically enrolled so that none miss out on this vital support.”
Warm Home Discount (WHD): The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have published eligibility for the WHD. The scheme opens at the end of October 2025. The one-off £150 electricity discount is usually automatic. The electricity supplier must be part of the scheme. Claimants can get the discount if their name (or their partner’s name) is on the electricity bill. They must also receive:
- The Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- Another qualifying means-tested benefit
Claimants must have met the eligibility criteria on the 24 August 2025.
For full details and a list of qualifying benefits you can read the Warm Home Discount: eligibility statement, England and Wales, 2025 to 2026 on GOV.UK
DEBT
HMRC Restart Direct Recovery from Bank Accounts: HMRC is planning to restart the use of direct recovery from bank accounts (DRD) to enforce tax debt, which has been paused since the COVID-19 pandemic. It will restart on a ‘test and learn’ basis. DRD is set out in schedule 8 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2015, and can be used if someone owes more than £1,000 of tax and tax credits debt. Safeguards apply, including leaving a minimum of £5,000 in someone’s account to avoid taking money needed for essential expenses.
You can find more details about DRD in HMRC’s Issue Briefing: Direct Recovery of Debts on GOV.UK
CONSUMER
EU Entry/Exit System (EES): From 12 October, the EU is introducing EES for UK and non-EU nationals. EES is an automated system that means travellers must register at the border. European countries using EES will phase it in over 6 months. British travellers must register on their first visit to a participating country. Registration involves scanning passports and taking fingerprints.
You can get more information about EES from the:
ParentPay App Scam: An app is available on Apple’s app store that impersonates an online school payment service. The app redirects people to a website which targets people with a £40 per month subscription scam. ParentPay does not have an app available for download from any app store.
You can read about the ParentPay app scam on the latest scam alerts from Which? webpage.
Research and Reports
Life on Low Pay in 2025: The Living Wage Foundation states that poverty levels in the UK have reached their highest point so far this century, with the most disadvantaged households bearing the greatest burden. Findings from their seventh survey on the experiences of low-paid workers reveal that those earning less than the real Living Wage are still facing intense financial strain. Read the report here.
Racism and Discrimination are Pervasive Across all Societal Institutions: A recent report by Age UK examines the experiences of ageing among Black Caribbean people aged 50 and over in England. Based on insights from interviews and focus groups, the report sheds light on how systemic racism and discrimination contribute to poorer health, financial insecurity, and difficulties in accessing vital public services. Read the report here.
The Experience of Insecure Work: According to the TUC, the crisis of insecure employment in the UK is worsening, with around 4 million individuals stuck in roles that lack stability, respect, and basic workplace rights. The latest report explores the personal impact of this growing issue – read it here.
Young People’s Experiences of Multiple Benefit Sanctions: This report by Thomas Rochow (Centre for Public Policy) suggests repeated benefit sanctions can lead to young people becoming disengaged from employment support services. Read the research paper here.
Upcoming Events & Training
Celebrate Black History Month, Saturday 25th October, 6pm at the Corn Exchange on High West Street, Dorchester: October is Black History Month and this year’s theme is Standing Firm in Power and Pride. Join the South West Dorset Multicultural Network for an evening of poetry and music.
The Black History Month website also has lots of excellent articles, event listings, and resources including the 2025 Black History Month resource pack that charities and workplaces can use to deepen understanding and awareness of Black British history.
Dorset VCSE Safeguarding, Wednesday 19th November 2025, 10am-3pm, The Hamworthy Club, Magna Road, Canford Magna BH21 3AP: What does Safeguarding mean to you? Are you responsible for Safeguarding in your organisation? The Safeguarding Adults Board are holding a free Safeguarding conference so that you can find out more about good practice, what safeguarding is and where you can get support from. This is an opportunity to share your experiences and learn from the experts. Come along and find out what the Adult Safeguarding Board is about and what you need to know when you have concerns. There will be lots of networking opportunities, an opportunity to sign up to the CEG (Community and Engagement sub group of the Safeguarding Board) plus refreshments and lunch.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in safeguarding. Register now to secure your spot at Dorset’s VCSE Safeguarding Conference! Book your place here.
Dorset COP 2025: Turning Environmental Ambition into Action, Saturday 1st November 2025, 09:00 – 18:00,The Exchange, Sturminster Newton DT10 1FH: Dorset COP is back for 2025. Dorset COP is a day of workshops, storytelling, creative action, and community connection.
Expect:
- A wide range of workshops to choose from
- Stories from across Dorset – from villages to towns
- Creative projects exploring art, nature, food, and energy
- Conversations about rural energy ownership and community power
- Live maps to see who’s doing what and where
- More time for connection, breaks, and reflection
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. They 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:
- Opened 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.