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]
ENERGY
Changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme: The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is changing. From 28 April 2026:
- properties won’t need to have a valid EPC
- park/mobile homes won’t be eligible
- air-to-air heat pumps might be eligible for a grant of up to £2,500
- installers must deduct the value of the grant from the quote, and they must not request or accept payment of the deducted amount
Some technical requirements will also be removed to allow heat pumps to be installed in more situations.
CONSUMER
EU Entry/Exit System (EES): The EU’s new digital border system has started. People travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport might need to register biometric details. It’s free and people don’t need to do anything in advance. However, EES might take each passenger extra time to complete. The government is telling people to be prepared for a longer wait than usual at the border.
You can read guidance on the EU EES system on GOV.UK.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – motor finance redress scheme: The FCA has announced the details of the scheme. It covers finance loans taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024. Motor finance agreements are covered where clients were not told that:
- the dealer/broker set the interest rate to earn more commission (a DCA)
- the commission was “high” – at least 39% of the cost of credit and 10% of the loan
- the broker had a “tied arrangement” with a specific lender (unless it was clear the dealer was linked to the lender, for instance “VW finance” or “Ford dealer”)
We’ve updated our page with advice on what clients should do, check ’car finance claims: What to do if you bought a car on finance page’.
2G switch-off: The UK’s 2G mobile networks will be switched off between 2029 and 2033. Guidance for preparing for the 2G switch off has been issued.
People will need a phone that works with 4G and/or 5G to stay connected, make voice calls and use dates. They should:
- look for ‘4G’ or ‘5G’ on their phone screen when using mobile data services (not whilst using Wi-Fi)
- make sure 4G calling (sometimes known as VoLTE) or 5G calling is turned on in phone settings. Most modern phones have this on by default
People can also check with their provider.
Some personal equipment relies on 2G, such as:
- telecare alarms
- lift alarms
- fire alarms
People should check with their service provider to make sure it works with 4G and 5G. If it doesn’t they will need to upgrade.
You can read ‘Preparing for the 2G switch-off: mobile phones and smart devices’ on GOV.UK.
HOUSING
Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA): With the implementation of the RRA in the private rented sector on 1 May 2026, it is especially important at the moment for advisers to look out for, and carefully check, any section 8 or 21 Housing Act 1988 (s.8 or s.21) notices given to clients with an assured shorthold tenancy (AST).
A valid s.8 or s.21 notice given before 1 May 2026 to expire after that date can still be enforced so long as the landlord makes a claim for possession in the county court on or before 31 July 2026. A valid s.8 or s.21 notice issued before 1 May keeps the AST “alive” until possession proceedings are determined.
If no valid s.21 or s.8 notice is given before 1 May 2026 (that expires after that date) an AST automatically becomes an assured periodic tenancy on 1 May.
You can read ‘Notices of possession served before 1 May 2026: a guide for tenants who are renting from a private landlord’ on GOV.UK.
DEBT
Student loan repayment threshold increased: The earnings threshold for student loan repayments went up to £29,385 on 6 April 2026. This is the amount you have to earn before you start repaying a student loan.
Student loan interest rates: Interest on Plan 2 and 3 student loans will be capped at 6%, instead of RPI+3%, for the 2026-2027 academic year, to protect students from the potential of higher inflation due to the war in the Middle East. The change will be in place from 1 September 2026.
You can read more about the rate cap on GOV.UK.
Credit union reforms planned: Reforms will give more people access to credit unions (CUs) by:
- raising the potential membership cap on locality based CUs from 3 million to 10 million
- allowing students to join locality based CUs in the area where they study
- allowing CU to serve relatives regardless of whether they live in the same household
- enabling members of employment based CUs to keep full membership when they retire, as well as allowing people to join a CU after they’ve retired
The changes will be introduced when ‘legislative time allows’.
You can read the Government response to the consultation on access to credit unions on GOV.UK (PDF).
BENEFITS
Removal of the 2 child limit: The 2 child limit has been removed from Universal Credit (UC) since 6 April 2026. This will increase payments for most families already in receipt of UC, with more than 2 children. Although the DWP recently confirmed that for claimants in receipt of a UC transitional element this will be eroded by any increased UC child element.
As well as increasing payments for those already in receipt of UC, when the 2 child limit is scrapped in April families with 3 or more children could become newly eligible for UC. This is because the additional child elements increase a family’s maximum award so that it is now possible to qualify with a higher income.
Advisers might want to consider doing take-up work to ensure that eligible families do not miss out on any new entitlement to UC.
April 2026 changes: As well as the removal of the 2 child limit the following benefit changes and uprating are due to take place in April 2026:
The limited capability for work element of universal credit will reduce from £423.27 to £217.26 for most new claimants of UC.
The UC standard allowance will increase from:
- £316.98 to £338.58 per month for single people aged under 25
- £400.14 to £424.90 per month for single people aged 25 and over
- £497.55 to £528.34 per month for joint claimants both aged under 25
- £628.10 to £666.97 per month for joint claimants both aged 25 and over
Most social security benefits across the UK will increase by 3.8%.
The New and Basic State Pension will increase by 4.8%.
The DWP has confirmed the increase in the UC Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) levels from 1 April 2026 due to the increase in the national living wage.
You can read updated guidance on UC and earnings on GOV.UK.
‘Right to try’ work: The government is amending legislation so that starting work will not, in and of itself, trigger a new work capability assessment (WCA) for Universal Credit (UC) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants, or an award review for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants. This takes effect on 30 April 2026.
The DWP still has discretion to carry out a new WCA for UC or ESA, to determine if there’s been a relevant change in the claimant’s condition. The amendment specifies that starting work is not in itself a relevant change.
For PIP, it specifies that starting work is not a reason for a fresh determination.
The Explanatory Memorandum to the amendments states:
“It does not prevent a customer from being called for a reassessment for other reasons while they are working. However, evidence about the type of work they are undertaking may still be used to support a reassessment.”
You can read The UC, PIP and ESA (Amendment) Regulations 2026 on legislation.gov.uk.
Note that the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) stated that the regulations may not offer sufficient assurances to achieve their purpose, and recommended further changes. The government has responded with an intention to legislate further to protect claimants starting work, including preventing the DWP carrying out a further WCA within a certain period.
You can read the correspondence between the DWP and the SSAC on GOV.UK.
Middle East conflict – habitual residence, past presence, and temporary absence: In July 2025, the government introduced exemptions from the habitual residence test (HRT) and past presence test (PPT), and increased temporary absences, for people in a country or territory from which the government advised British nationals to leave or arranged their evacuation. (You can read our email update of 23 July 2025 for more on these changes).
The DWP has updated its guidance on this legislation. It now states that the exemptions cover the following countries from 4 March 2026: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Housing Benefit guidance also states that extended temporary absence rules apply in relation to these countries.
You can read the updated guidance in Advice for Decision Making Memo 09-25 (PDF, 93KB) and Decision Maker’s Guide Memo 10-25 (PDF,109KB). You can also read Housing Benefit guidance in adjudication circular A5-2026 on GOV.UK.
IMMIGRATION
Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE): The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme allows for Ukrainian nationals and their family members living in the UK to apply to extend their leave whilst the conflict in Ukraine continues.
- as of 8 April 2026, applications opened to extend permission under the UPE for a further 24 months
- applicants can now apply to extend their permission up to 90 days before their current UPE permission expires
- applications remain free
- applications can be made by new and existing UPE holders
- submitting an application early (within the 90 days before their current permission expires) will not reduce the total permission granted and instead any leave remaining, will be added to the new grant of leave
You can read more on Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme on GOV.UK.
EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) automated grants of settled status: As of 9 April 2026, pre settled status (PSS) holders are being automatically granted settled status (SS) when on checking their tax and benefits payments record, this shows that they have had at least 30 months of the most recent 60 months of residence in the UK.
The automation process will also apply to PSS holders who were told that their leave had lapsed after two years (due to the confusion around permitted absences from the UK), and they meet all the other requirements to settle.
EMPLOYMENT
National Minimum Wage (NMW) changes from 1 April 2026: Each April sees a rise in the NMW which directly impacts about 3 million workers.
NMW rates from April 2026 are £12.71 (21+), £10.85 (18-20), £8.00 (under 18/ apprentices).
You can check the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates on GOV.UK.
These changes can cause confusion, for example what happens if the NMW increase comes during a pay reference period? The answer is that the higher rate of NMW won’t be applied until the next pay period.
Research and Reports
A Council Housing Revolution: Roadmap to the Future of Council Homes: Homelessness is at record highs and there is broad agreement that England needs to deliver around 90,000 social rent homes annually for the next decade in order to address the housing crisis. This briefing from Shelter outlines five major reforms the government should implement to enable a revival of council housebuilding, removing the obstacles that currently prevent local authorities from delivering social rent homes at scale once more. Read the report here.
Quantifying multiple insecurities in financial, housing, work, health and caring: trends, breakdowns by characteristics and impacts on wellbeing: This study by the LSE The study shows that financial, housing, work, health, and caring insecurities are widespread in the UK and often overlap, with financial insecurity increasing the risk of other forms of insecurity. It also finds that certain groups are more vulnerable, multiple insecurity is linked to lower wellbeing, and effective policy can reduce these risks while poor policy can worsen them. Read it here.
Upcoming Events & Training
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: Income Sustainability & Diversity, 7th May 2026 10-11am, online: This online session run by the Volunteer Centre Dorset will help community groups and small charities reduce reliance on grants by developing a broader, more resilient mix of income sources.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
• Understand why grant dependency is risky for long-term sustainability
• Identify sustainable income types suitable for your organisation
• Assess their current income mix and identify gaps
• Explore practical ways to diversify income (community fundraising, trading, partnerships, contracts, donations)
• Begin developing a realistic plan to strengthen financial resilience
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.