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. This is a short pre-Christmas update; the next full issue will be published on Thursday 9 January.
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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
BENEFITS
DWP Debt Management: There is an online service called ‘Repay and manage benefit money you owe’ – here. Claimants can use this service to:
- check how much they owe DWP
- check when they will have repaid the money
- see payments they have already made
- make changes to their monthly payments
- get help and support
They will have to register to use the service or use their existing GOV.UK One Login if they have one. This will reduce the need for claimants to call Debt Management to find out their debt information.
EMPLOYMENT
Protecting employees from sexual harassment: In October 2024, additional duties were introduced under the Worker Protection Act 2023 requiring employers to take reasonable steps to prevent staff from being sexually harassed at work. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published new employer guidance recognising the fact that the risk of sexual harassment may increase at this time of year in terms of work Christmas events encouraging staff to socialise outside of working hours (in settings where alcohol is available). In employment law, a work organised event can be treated as an extension of the workplace. The guidance is here.
IMMIGRATION
eVisas: Most biometric residence permits and cards (BRPs and BRCs) are expiring on 31 December – to be replaced by online eVisas as proof immigration status. Expired cards may still be used as evidence of status until 31 March 2025 – and beyond that for proof of a right to work or rent. ‘Migrants Organise’ along with the ‘3 million’ have produced this very helpful ‘bust card’ on eVisa rights and travelling with an eVisa. The card is here, and can be printed and given to clients once they’ve created their eVisa, to help them understand their rights and who to contact to resolve issues.
LOCAL NEWS
Food Banks and Affordable Food Projects in Dorset and BCP Council areas: There are lots of food projects across Dorset which can help provide emergency food to you if you need it. There are also projects that sell food at more affordable prices, which can help too. Please see the link for Food Banks, Community Fridges, Social Supermarkets, and Pop-Up Larders. Read more on the Help&Kindness website.
Access to Wellbeing Hubs: The Access to Wellbeing hubs in Boscombe, Poole and Weymouth provide a welcoming space for members of the local community to find support on the issues that matter to them. Dorset Youth provides more information on support for young people’s health and wellbeing – here.
Events
Scams Awareness campaign 26 December – 1 January 2025: The 2024 Scams Awareness campaign in December will consist of a week of activity aiming to advise consumers on how to stay safe from online shopping scams. Read more on Scams from Citizens Advice – here. Partner resources can be found here.
Disability Services Advocacy Team training: The team run upskilling sessions for external stakeholders and organisations, raising awareness of the different Disability Services benefits and grants available. These are Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB). Below are dates for January and February 2025:
Reports, consultations
Carer’s Allowance overpayments: The terms of reference have been published – here – for the Independent Review into Carers Allowance overpayments announced on 16 October. The review will explore:
- How overpayments of Carer’s Allowance linked to earnings accrued and why this has happened
- What changes can be made to reduce the risk of such overpayments accruing in future
- What DWP can best do to support those who have already accrued overpayments
Ofgem debt strategy consultation: Ofgem are consulting on proposals for:
- Debt write off for customers with arrears relating to the energy crisis
- a ‘Debt Guarantee’ for minimum standards of care and customer service that consumers in arrears can expect from their supplier
standardising the approach suppliers take when assessing a customer’s ability to pay
There are 2 consultations open on the Ofgem website until 6 February 2025:
- Resetting the energy debt landscape: the case for a debt relief scheme – here
- Improving debt standards in the domestic retail market – here
Royal Mail fails to meet delivery targets: Ofcom has fined Royal Mail £10.5 million for poor delivery performance for the period April 2023 to March 2024. 74.7% of 1st class mail and 92.7% of 2nd class mail was delivered on time – the target for 1st class mail is 93% and 2nd class mail is 98.5%. The fine has been passed in full to the public purse. Read more here.
