Advice Dorset Partnership E News No. 24, 19 March 2026

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.

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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 Thomas Hensher at Citizens Advice Central Dorset: [email protected]

DEBT

Debt recovery guidance – use of social media: The DWP has removed guidance suggesting local authorities use social media to investigate claimants’ lifestyles or employment for debt recovery. The DWP says that local authorities may still use social media if it aligns with their own operational frameworks. However, this must strictly comply with legal requirements, and regulatory governance.

You can see LA Welfare direct bulletin 2026 on GOV.UK.

You can read ‘Pursuing Housing Benefit overpayment recovery effectively: good practice guide’ on GOV.UK.

CONSUMER

Portal to register for government flights from United Arab Emirates (UAE): Clients can now register their interest in UK government flights from the UAE. Once they have registered, the government will send them updates about booking flights.

You can read about registering interest in UK government flights from the UAE in GOV.UK.

Haier tumble dryers – urgent safety repair: Reminder that households with specific tumble dryers manufactured by Haier must check if their machine needs an urgent safety repair.

You can read about the urgent safety check for 85,000 tumble dryers on GOV.UK.

OPSS Vape usage and disposal awareness campaign: OPSS has launched a vapes safety campaign aimed at young people. The campaign messages include:

• store your used vape safely until you recycle it
• remove the battery if possible
• don’t bin it in general waste or household recycling
• ask vapes retailers about take-back
• drop it in a vape-only recycling bin at a vape shop, supermarket or recycling point
• unplug your vape once it’s fully charged

You can read ‘OPSS launches safe vapes usage and disposal awareness campaign’ on GOV.UK.

Credit report consultation: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is consulting on proposals to improve how consumer credit information is shared.
Proposals include:

• firms that currently share credit information with at least one CRA must share with all CRAs
• specifying types of data to share
• requirement for firms to report satisfied CCJs to the court/registry trust

The consultation is open until 1 May.

You can read ‘Credit Information Market Study: Proposed approach to implementing FCA remedies, on the FCA website.

Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Clear Pricing campaign: The campaign highlights the CMA’s new ‘3 Step Pricing Check’ . Businesses can use the 3 step check to make sure that their pricing practices are within the law. Business should:

• show the total price up front
• include all mandatory charges
• make it clear how customers can work out the total, if the business can’t give a total price

Consumers can report misleading prices to trading standards via the consumer service.

You can read about the clear pricing campaign on GOV.UK.

ENERGY

Government announces support for heating oil customers: On 16 March, the UK Government announced a range of measures to help customers manage rising heating oil costs. These include:

• £27 million of targeted support for customers paid through the Crisis and Resilience Fund in England. The devolved governments of Wales (£3.8m), Scotland (£4.9m) and Northern Ireland (£17m) will disburse funds using other methods
• a new industry code of practice and increased consumer protections for customers on price transparency and vulnerability
• potentially establishing a Priority Customer’s Register
• potential appointment of a new ombudsman or regulator for oil customers

The Crisis and Resilience Fund replaces the Household Support Fund from 1 April this year.

You can read more in the government announcement on GOV.UK.

Secretary of State writes to UKIFDA on fuel price increases: On 9 March, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero wrote to the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA). They stated that the Competition and Markets Authority has begun collecting evidence on whether customers are being treated fairly in light of recent price increases. The letter informs that the CMA can launch an investigation if they find that suppliers are acting unfairly. It reminds suppliers that customers should be provided with clear explanations for any price changes. This includes where prices are confirmed shortly before delivery.

You can read the Secretary of State’s letter.

New smart meter standards announced: On 10 March, the Government announced the introduction of new standard licence conditions for suppliers relating to smart meters. These rules confirm that customers with a faulty smart meter should wait no more than 90 days for it to be repaired. Customers who face issues in the process of installing a smart meter are now eligible for £40 compensation. This includes issues such as delayed or failed installation.

You can read the government announcement on GOV.UK.

HOUSING

Government guidance for local authorities on the Renters Rights Act – England only: The Government has produced guidance for local authorities on various aspects of the Renters Rights Act. Although written for local authorities, it is useful for advisers. For example, the guidance on Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) sets out the law that will apply from 1 May 2026 as well as practical guidance on how to apply for the RRO and arguments that could be used to support a tenant.

The guidance on Civil Penalties sets out a useful list of potential offences that could be used by tenants as a checklist of landlords’ obligations and the fines they may incur if they fail to meet them.

There is also guidance on, amongst other things:

• rental discrimination
• rental bidding
• amendments to the Tenants Fees Act
• asking for rent in advance

You can read the guidance on the Renters Rights Act on GOV.UK.

BENEFITS

Extension to managed migration: The DWP have confirmed that managed migration will extend beyond 31 March 2026. This is to ensure the ‘safe transfer’ of the remaining income related ESA (irESA) cases. At the time of writing there is no end date for irESA, or working age Housing Benefit. Income Support and income-based Jobseekers Allowance will be abolished from 1 April 2026.

You can read the announcement about the extension to the managed migration timetable in LA Welfare Direct 3/2026 on GOV.UK.

Benefit uprating: The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 now provides for the uprated amounts of social security benefits from April 2026.

Further amendments, including an uprate to the Carers Allowance earnings limit from £196 to £204, are included in The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2026.

Increases to HMRC-administered benefits are contained in The Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2026.

Statutory Sick Pay changes: The Employment Rights Act 2025 (Statutory Sick Pay) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026 effective from 6 April, remove the 3 day waiting period and lower earnings limit for entitlement to SSP.

IMMIGRATION

New Immigration Rules HC 1691: The recent public statements by the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmoud, finally culminated in a set of new immigration rules, which brought in sweeping changes to the asylum process as well as in some other immigration routes. Here is a summary of the changes:

Changes affecting refugees

• reductions in permissions to stay from 2 March 2026, for refugees and those on Humanitarian Protection from 5 years to 30 months
• applications made before this date will not be effected and will continue to receive 5 years leave to remain
• this change does not affect unaccompanied refugee children
• further submissions from failed asylum applicants will be written in the immigration rules
• asylum support to be discontinued for asylum seekers who have been found to have worked illegally
• after a year, asylum seekers will only be able to apply for work in high skilled occupations (RQF level 6)

Changes affecting families

• from 26 March 2027 the English language requirement in settlement applications, where currently it is at level B1, will increase to level B2. This is a higher level requirement equivalent to A levels
• this won’t apply to partners and children on Appendix FM, unless they move onto the 10 year route to settlement

Skilled workers

• requirement for skilled workers salary to be paid every month rather than over the course of a year – to assist in detection of exploitation of workers

Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE)

• new application window of 90 days for further 24 months extension of UPE can be made from 8 April 2026

Asylum support

• asylum seekers will continue to receive support for 42 days following a positive decision on their asylum claim

EU Settlement Scheme

• introduction of a new ground for refusal for an EEA national who help family members to fraudulently apply to the scheme
• applicants for EUSS family permits will be required to provide sponsors EUSS UAN and proof of relationship eg. birth or marriage certificates
• Increase from 18 month to 5 years in the time allowed for non EEA nationals to use an expired BRP for further applications to the EUSS

Home Office concession for EU dual nationals returning to UK: We reported previously on the difficulties for British citizens who had dual nationality but no UK passport or certificate of their right of abode. They would be refused entry, following the start of enforcement of the requirement to hold an electronic travel authorisation (or visa).

In a late concession, the Home Office will allow dual nationals who formerly held status under the EU Settlement Scheme to travel to the UK using a valid EU passport or a national ID card.

They will need to ensure their travel document is linked to their UKVI account where their EU Settlement Scheme status is recorded.

Immigration & Nationality fee changes: There have been a small number of increases to fees:

• visit visa – up from £250 to £253
• entry clearance on settlement routes or with indefinite leave – from £3,600 to £3,635
• electronic Travel Authorisations – from £16 to £20
• review of a refusal of British citizenship – from £482 to £513
• naturalisation as a British citizen – from £1,605 to £1,709
• registration as a British citizen – from £1,500 to £1,540
• renunciation of British citizenship – from £482 to £513
• amending or providing a copy of a Certificate of British citizenship – from £428 to £456
• certificate of right of abode – from £589 to £627

EMPLOYMENT

Sexual Harassment and whistleblowing: From 6 April 2026, s23 of the Employment Rights Act 2025 creates additional protections for workers complaining about workplace sexual harassment, making it a qualifying protected disclosure for “whistleblowing” purposes.  The aim is to upgrade existing employer duties ensuring protection from detriment or dismissal whether the harassment is past, present, or anticipated. Claimants must still show a reasonable belief that the whistleblowing serves the public interest, which is likely to be straightforward when others are at risk.

The legislation also states that any attempt to use non-disclosure agreements and confidentiality clauses to silence such complaints will be void – they cannot  prevent someone from blowing the whistle about sexual harassment.

These measures will facilitate interim relief claims—allowing Employment Tribunals to order continued pay or reinstatement during ongoing cases.

Research and Reports

Why are a growing number of young people who are NEET reporting work-limiting health conditions?: In the 3 months to December 2025, an estimated 957,000 young people were not in employment, education or training (NEET), equivalent to 12.8% of all 16–24-year-olds. This is an increase of around 200,000 since 2021. This report from The Health Foundation explores the reasons. 

Filed away: The experiences of victim-survivors with coerced debts during and after economic abuse: This research briefing gives fresh insight into the extent and nature of coerced debt, with recommendations on the policy changes needed to support victim-survivors of economic abuse with coerced debts in a fair and just way. Read the report here.

Upcoming Events & Training

Dragonfly: Stalking and Domestic Abuse Awareness Training. 24.03.2026, 10:00 – 13:00. Online.