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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Reminder that our services will be closed for the Easter bank holiday weekend. Happy Easter to everyone! 🐣🌼
ENERGY
Citizens Advice gives crisis support every 30 seconds as bill rises loom:
- Citizens Advice has helped more than 51,000 people around the country with crisis support so far this year.
- Renters, disabled people and single parents are among those most likely to seek support.
- The money owed by people seeking help with debt is now at record levels.
- Citizens Advice calls on the government to build on action taken so far and throw households in crisis “a lifeline”.
The average amount of debt owed by people Citizens Advice sees has hit a record £9,500, up 12% on last year. On average, more than a third of this debt (42%) is arrears on essential bills, such as energy and council tax.
With global instability threatening further price shocks, and key essential bills going up in this month, Citizens Advice is anticipating the number of people pushed into debt could grow further.
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:
“Our data reveals the scale of the problem facing people; households are buckling under cost-of-living pressures, and too many are reaching crisis.
“Every day our advisers see people at breaking point, with nowhere left to cut back and debts spinning out of control. Now, worrying global events look likely to bring fresh challenges to already stretched budgets.
“That is why the government must give a lifeline to the households struggling the most. This should include help with rent costs, better-targeted support with energy bills, as well as measures to tackle record breaking levels of debt.”
Middle East Energy Crisis: National Citizens Advice have added a new section for clients worried about how the war in the Middle East will impact their energy bills.
Clients on a Standard Variable Tariff or a fixed tariff will not see their rates change immediately. Their current rates are protected by the cap until 30 June or until the end of their fixed tariff. Ofgem will announce the next price cap on 27 May 2026, which will cover the period from 1 July to 30 September. Due to the conflict’s impact on wholesale gas and oil, an increase is predicted. We’ll update our advice when we know more.
You can read more on our page ‘Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills’.
HOUSING
Renters Rights Act 2025 – prescribed information for private tenants: The government has published documents specifying what information must be provided to tenants by landlords. Clients may now be starting to receive this information from their landlords.
Private landlords (and their agents) of assured or assured shorthold tenants need to provide tenants with either “certain written information” or a specific Information Sheet about their tenancies. When landlords need to provide the information, and what they need to give the tenant, depends on whether the tenancy started before 1 May 2026 and if the tenancy is in writing.
- if there is a partial or fully written tenancy agreement that started before 1 May 2026 a copy of The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 – GOV.UK must be given to the tenant by 31 May 2026. This must be provided as a hard copy, or the pdf can be attached to an email or message – providing a link to the document is not enough
- if there is no written tenancy agreement and the tenancy started before 1 May 2026 the landlord must give the tenant certain written information by 31 May 2026
- If a new tenancy starts after 1 May 2026 then, before the tenancy starts, the landlord must give the tenant the written information, or a written tenancy agreement that includes the written information
- in any other case, where a tenancy becomes assured after 1 May 2026 then the written information must be provided within 28 days of the tenancy becoming assured
You can find the required information in ‘Tenancy agreements: written information for your tenant’ on GOV.UK.
If tenants do not receive the above written information or the Information Sheet (whichever is appropriate) by the dates stated they could complain to their local council who could fine the landlord/agent up to £7000.
Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA) – new section 8 and section 13(2) forms to be used from 1 May 2026:
The Government has published new forms to be used from 1 May 2026. The forms are watermarked and published in advance so people can see what information will be needed on and after 1 May 2026.
The forms include:
- Form 3A – Notice seeking possession of a property let on an assured tenancy or an assured agricultural occupancy in the private rented sector, as required by section 8 Housing Act 1988 (as amended) (HA 1988).
This is the notice a private landlord must serve to gain possession of an assured tenancy (a ‘section 8 notice’). The notice sets out a list of the common grounds for possession, including the new and amended grounds. Landlords are required to insert into the form the full legal wording of each ground they are using, as set out in schedule 2 HA 1988 (as amended). A document setting out the legal wording and a brief explanation of each ground has also been published.
The Government has also produced guidance for tenants who have received Form 3A.
- Form 4A – Landlord’s notice proposing a new rent for assured tenancies in the private rented sector, as required by section 13(2) HA 1988 (as amended).
This is the notice a private landlord must serve if they wish to increase the rent on an assured tenancy (a ‘section 13(2) notice’).
Guidance for tenants and licensees who receive Form 4A and wish to apply for a market rent determination to the tribunal has also been published. The guidance includes a link to the Rents 1 application form. You can read the guidance on applying for a market rent determination on GOV.UK.
The watermarked versions of the new forms are for information only and should not be used. You can see the watermarked versions of the new forms and guidance on GOV.UK.
On 1 May 2026, versions of the forms that must be used will be published. You will be able to see the new forms on the ‘Assured tenancy forms’ page on GOV.UK.
BENEFITS
Work capability reassessments can be expedited: For claimants who want to be assessed for limited capability for work, there’s been a policy to prioritise new assessments over reassessments. This has led to delays in reassessments being carried out. It’s been clarified that a reassessment can be expedited if there’s a ‘compelling and demonstrable need to do so’.
You can read the letter from Stephen Timms MP regarding Work Capability Assessments on parliament.uk.
EMPLOYMENT
Statutory Sick Pay changes: On 6 April 2026, significant changes to SSP rules will come into effect:
- the lower earnings limit (LEL) is abolished, so all eligible workers will be entitled to SSP regardless of how much they earn
- SSP will be payable from the first full day of sickness absence (the three-day waiting period is being removed)
- entitlement to SSP will be calculated at 80% of average weekly earnings or the flat weekly rate, whichever is lower
- you can read ‘Sickness absences that start before and end on or after 6 April 2026’ which explains transitional rules for employees currently off sick.
For more information you can read the SSP factsheet on GOV.UK.
Employment Tribunal compensation limits increase on 6 April 2026: The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2026 increases statutory employment payment caps and ET award limits. Key changes include raising the maximum weekly pay to £751 (impacts also on payments from the National Insurance Fund (RPS), unfair dismissal compensatory increases award to £123,543, maximum statutory redundancy payment/basic award increases to £22,530.
Annual uprating of rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027: Amongst various other bits of guidance to employers operating payroll, increases to the rates of Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared Parental, Parental Bereavement and Neonatal Care Pay will apply from 6 April 2026.
For more information, you can read ‘Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027’ on GOV.UK.
DISCRIMINATION
Statutory changes in employer pay gap reporting and sexual harassment whistleblowing: The following changes in these two areas are being brought in by statute.
Sexual harassment whistleblowing
At present: it is already possible to bring a sexual harassment whistleblowing claim, as reporting a breach of an employer’s legal duties, (in this case the duty not to subject employees to sexual harassment under the Equality Act 2010), counts as a “protected disclosure”.
What’s changing: sexual harassment, or the likelihood of it occurring, will automatically be classed as “protected disclosure”. This will make it easier to bring such claims.
When it’s changing: 06 April 2026.
Equal pay gap reporting for ethnicity and disability: At present: employers with 250 employees or more have to publish data on any gender – based pay gap that may exist in their workforce. This requires data on average pay rates.
What’s changing: nothing in the immediate future, but the government has recently confirmed its commitment to employers being required to publish the same sort of information on ethnicity and disability. Firms will have to publish data on any pay disparities between disabled and non – disabled workforce members, and the same with respect to ethnicity. This will include:
- average hourly pay gap
- average bonus pay gap
- the overall breakdown of the workforce by ethnicity and disability status
- Equality Action Plans outlining specific steps they are taking to close identified gaps
This will be introduced by the Equality [Race and Disability] Bill. The data these reports produce could provide powerful evidence to support discrimination claims.
When it’s changing: while the change isn’t going to come into force until in Spring 2027, with the first statutory reports likely due by April 2028, voluntary reporting is encouraged now. So some firms may start collecting this data with immediate effect.
IMMIGRATION
Drop in fee for child to be registered as British: From 8 April the fee to register a child as a British citizen will drop from £1,214 to £1,000 – a reduction of £214. The drop will be welcomed by families wanting their child to register, but it is still historically high. For those still finding it difficult to afford the fee, there is the possibility of applying for a fee waiver.
You can read ‘Get a citizenship application fee waiver if you’re under 18’ on GOV.UK.
CONSUMER
Which? travel scams and Middle East disruption: Which? explain how 3 common travel scams work and give a top tip for each:
- Customer service impersonation accounts
- Fake holidays
- Travel insurance scams
You can read more about travel scams on the Which? website.
Research and Reports
A Warm Home, A Fair Chance – The lived realities of fuel poverty for children: A new report from National Energy Action examines how cold, damp and poorly heated homes shape childrens’ health, confidence, friendships, and ability to learn. Read the report here.
Social exclusion in a digital society: how does digital delivery of services exclude marginalised groups?: This research paper from finds that new forms of exclusion have emerged in which people are excluded through poverty, through being dependent on intermediaries to access digital services, by a lack of digital skills and through being forced to access poorly designed services. Read the paper here.
Upcoming Events & Training
National Year of Reading 2026: Dorset Library Service, schools and communities across Dorset are coming together this year to support the National Year of Reading 2026, a major UK-wide campaign encouraging people of all ages to rediscover the joy and benefits of reading.
There are events taking place across the Dorset Library Service, in libraries and online. For the latest updates, visit the “What’s on in Dorset libraries” pages on the Dorset Council website.
Volunteer Management Training, Monday 13th April, 10:30 – 12:30: Run by CAN, this training and asset-based workbook will cover:
- Introduction to volunteering
- Gathering information
- Policies and procedures
- Volunteer management, supervision and training.
- Volunteers and the law
- Thanking volunteers
- Volunteer recruitment.
By the end of this training, you will understand best practices in managing your volunteers, with tools and resources to develop a framework of support. This is a great introduction to the subject, and can lead to more in-depth training on specific areas of volunteer management with CAN.
Developing a Communications & Marketing Plan, Thursday 21st May, 10:00-13:00, Volunteer Centre Dorset: This interactive workshop run by Volunteer Centre Dorset will take you through the essential steps in creating a communications/marketing plan for your voluntary group or organisation. They will cover:
– setting clear objectives
– understanding your audience
– finding the right channels
– creating engaging, accessible content
– evaluating your work
The session will include peer feedback, and each person attending will leave with an actional mini-comms plan. Be prepared to bring a piece of communications you are currently working on or planning, and think about what your biggest communications challenge is.
How To Build a Disability Inclusive Workspace, Thursday 23rd April, 13:00-14:00: By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Recognise the advantages of proactively designing inclusivity into workplace practices.
- Describe where their organisation currently sits on the disability inclusion gap analysis scale—both overall and at each stage of the employee lifecycle.
- Identify barriers that may hinder cultural change and understand how technology can act as an enabler.
- Develop a plan to move forward.
Funding
Lead The Change Fund: This fund is specifically for work in Weymouth – one grant will be awarded. Grant amount: £123,353 (set amount)
The window for Expressions of Interest is from April 1 to April 21.
Lead the Change is a new, three‑year initiative launched by BBC Children in Need, in partnership with Co‑op Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Henry Smith Foundation, Joseph Levy Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Postcode Justice Trust, UK Community Foundations and The National Lottery Community Fund.
The Fund is looking to target communities of young people impacted by xenophobia, racism, and islamophobia. 27 areas (including Weymouth) are eligible to apply for grants – to see the list of areas see the UK Community Foundations webpage.
The programme supports young people to play a leading role in strengthening relationships, fostering understanding and building belonging in their communities.