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.
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!
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].
Jobs
Poole Food Bank+, now known as Poole Life Centre is about much more than just emergency food. It can provide holistic support including: budget support and debt advice, cooking courses, healthy eating on a budget ideas, school uniform and clothing support, and signposting to other agencies including housing and benefits. They have two vacancies:
- Poole Life Centre Deputy Manager, to work closely alongside the Life Centre Manager to support them in the effective and smooth running of the project as well as the development of the Food Bank
- Poole Life Centre Administrator & Support officer to work closely alongside the Life Centre team. This role will support the Manager and Deputy Manager with administration tasks as well as provide project cover when the Deputy Manager is on leave.
Closing date 6 December. Read more here.
Information updates
BENEFITS
UC Migration: The Minister for Social Security and Disability has confirmed that all households will be moved from legacy benefits to Universal Credit by the end of March 2026, two-years ahead of schedule. The number of migration notices sent to ESA customers will steadily increase over the next months, with 63,000 notices due to be sent each month from February until the end of the year. Further funding has been provided to the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service to support claimants. Read the Govt press release here. For people of pension age receiving tax credits, Adviser Online has published an article here: A guide to managed migration for pension-age claimants
Universal Credit Budgeting advances – extension of repayment period: In the Spring budget, the government announced that the repayment period for budgeting advances in Universal Credit (UC) would increase from 12 months to 24 months. This will only apply to new customers who request a budgeting loan from 4 December.
Limited Capability for Work: This Adviser Online article – here – looks at some common issues around referrals for a work capability assessment (WCA) and determinations of LCWRA under UC. It will also consider a common issue of the DWP failing to treat a claimant as having LCWRA; from the Citizens Advice experience this can arise where a claimant is undergoing treatment under the cancer provision
Pension Tracing: Radio 4’s Money Box programme recently covered the issue of lost pensions, here. The Govt information is here.
HOUSING
Does a landlord have to store a tenant’s belongings? This Adviser Online article outlines the responsibilities of landlords in England and Wales regarding the storage of tenants’ belongings under various circumstances, including eviction, property abandonment, and situations where a tenant moves to a care home or hospital.
ENERGY / UTILITIES
Energy Price Cap: Ofgem has announced – here – the energy price cap for the next period – 1 January to 31 March 2025. This means that from 1 January 2025 a household with a typical consumption on dual electricity and gas will pay:
- £1,738 a year if they pay by direct debit
- £1,851 if they pay by standard credit (on receipt of their bill)
- £1,690 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.
Ofgem investigation into Utilita Energy: Ofgem is investigating Utilita Energy Ltd’s compliance with rules around installation and use of pre-payment meters (PPMs) for domestic customers – read more here. Anyone who is concerned that a supplier isn’t following the rules around PPMs should check the Citizens Advice information here, and/or contact the Consumer Service for advice.
Winter payment scams: Scam texts have been circulating claiming that a new living allowance will be paid out. The text asks people to click on a link to claim. The government does not send text messages asking for people to click on a link to make a claim – this link is designed to harvest people’s data. Adverts have also been appearing on Facebook and Instagram. These adverts also claim that people are eligible for a payment and have links to information-harvesting websites. Which? has covered this.
OTHER
Black Friday scams: Which? have published a guide – here – to avoiding Black Friday scams. Signs that a deal may be a scam are:
- unrealistically low prices
- being promoted on a recently created website without a privacy policy, postal address or an ‘about us’ page
- being posted from a newly created social media account
- only allowing payments by bank transfer
- an impersonated URL – the website URL should be the same as the official brand website
LOCAL NEWS
Dorset Council – Borrow an iPad for free from Dorset Libraries: Dorset Library Service run an iPad loan scheme for customers who want to find employment or improve their health and wellbeing. Additional devices have now been purchased, thanks to support from the council’s Cost of Living fund, to expand the iPad lending scheme. iPads can now be booked across more of the Dorset library network and can be borrowed for up to 6 weeks, free of charge if you are aged 18 or over, a full member of Dorset Library Service and resident in the Dorset Council area. Read more here.
Dorset Council – Free SIM cards for residents in digital need: Dorset Council has teamed up with Good Things Foundation to offer data SIMs to people who cannot afford to be online. They have a limited number of SIM cards that last for six months to give people who cannot afford data and have no or insufficient access to the internet. The SIM cards offer up to 20GB per month. Recipients must live in the Dorset Council area, be aged 18 and from a low-income household. More information here.
Winter – keeping our communities warm: Winter is here, and our community needs to be prepared. The voluntary and community sector (VCS) play a crucial role in keeping people safe during cold weather. Read these tips from Deborah McClure, Pathway Coordinator, CAN Wellbeing Collaborative
Events and Training
Energy Savings Online session: Wednesday 27th November, 10am-11am; free. Dorset Community Action has been successful in securing funding to deliver Energy Insecurity Awareness Training for frontline workers, staff and volunteers for the remainder of 2024 and 2025, in partnership with the Big Energy Saving Network and Citizens Advice. Other dates available. Book here.
Policy in Practice webinar – 2024 in review – Policy highlights and success stories from a year of change: Wednesday 11 December, 10:30 – 11:45. As 2024 comes to a close, join us for our final webinar of the year, where our policy analysts will review the key policy changes and pressing issues that shaped the past twelve months. From a change of government and responses to the ongoing cost of living challenges to the latest developments in social support and government funding, we’ll explore how these changes have impacted households across the UK. Register here.
Citizens Advice Data Insights – 6 December, 12-1pm. We will explore why gender-based violence is a ‘national emergency’ and examine the systemic and policy failures that have fueled this crisis. Joining us will be Jess Phillips MP, who will outline the government’s strategy to tackle the issue and reduce violence against women and girls by 50% over the next decade. Book here.
Basic computer skills courses: Skills and Learning offers free computer courses in a supportive, empowering environment where learners of all levels can gain the confidence and skills they need to use technology. From basic computer skills to Level 2 qualifications, the classes are designed to help people feel in control, whether they’re looking to learn how to access online services, improve their job prospects, or simply get more out of their computers. Read more here.
Could you spot a loan shark? See info in this flyer to arrange a session in 2025 for your teams delivered by Lin Fisher from the Illegal Money Lending Team:
Could you spot a loan shark invite online or F-2-F 2024
Research, reports, consultations etc
UC overpayments and waiver requests: A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the DWP applied a waiver to only 89 UC overpayments between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.
Call for Evidence – Shaping a new National Hate Crime Strategy: The Centre for Hate Studies and Protection Approaches are leading a national consultation to develop a new hate crime strategy for England and Wales. With hate crime levels tripling over the past decade, this initiative seeks input from those affected by hate crime and the charities and community groups that support them. Evidence and opinions will inform a publication with practical policy recommendations on prevention, victim support, and justice – submit by 3rd January 2025. Read more here.
The Work Rights Centre report on care workers: This recently published report sheds light on the working conditions within England’s adult social care sector, focusing on the urgent need for reform. The adult social care sector has one of the highest vacancy rates among major industries, and the government has relied on migrant workers to address labour shortages. According to the report, migrant workers currently make up 32% of care worker roles in England. However, many of these workers are employed under the Health and Care Worker visa, introduced post-Brexit, which effectively ties them to their employers, creating significant vulnerabilities for migrant workers. Read more here.
Stop Loan Sharks: The winter newsletter is here.
In sickness and in health – Why Statutory Sick Pay needs further reform: This Citizens Advice report notes that only about half of all employees are paid their full wages when they’re too ill to work. A significant share – up to 1 in 4 – have to rely on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) only, which, at just £116.75 per week, is one of the least generous sick pay rates by international standards. Read more here.
Rural Vulnerability Day: This recent event provided an essential platform for discussions around the socio-economic challenges and service-related vulnerabilities facing rural communities. Hosted by the Rural Services Network (RSN) on behalf of Rural England, the event brought together experts, policymakers, and rural advocates to explore the unique issues that affect rural areas. Read more here.
Funding news
Groundwork – One Stop Community Partnership Programme: The programme provides partnership as well as financial assistance. Alongside a grant of up to £1,000, there is also an opportunity to create a long-term tailored programme of support for successful applicants with their local One Stop Store Team. Grant recipients then work in partnership with the One Stop Store Team at their local shop to deliver support to the community. The programme is designed to support community groups or organisations, operating within two miles of a One Stop store, who are working to tackle food poverty. support the vulnerable, the elderly, low income families, etc. Applications are expected to open on 2 December 2024 with a deadline of 24 January 2025. You will be able to check where your nearest One Stop is – here – once the fund opens.
