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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Information Updates
BENEFITS
Citizens Advice and other charities warn PM about two-child benefit cap limit: Citizens Advice and other charities (Child Poverty Action Group, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Save the Children UK, Barnardo’s, Trussell, The Children’s Society and Action for Children) have written to the Prime Minister urging the government to do more to eradicate child poverty. They have written the following:
Ensuring that fewer children are in poverty at the end of this parliamentary term than at the start will require a direct investment in family incomes via the social security system. As the bare minimum, this must start with scrapping the two-child limit and the benefit cap. The two-child limit pushes more and more children into poverty every day and will act as a brake on any other action taken by government to reduce poverty. The benefit cap pushes 300,000 children into deep poverty at a time when their parent’s capacity to work is limited. Neither policy is compatible with the ambition to raise living standards.
The two-child limit prevents families from receiving child allowances through Universal Credit for a third or any subsequent child born after April 2017. This policy currently affects around 1.6 million children across the UK.
The benefit cap sets a maximum limit on the total amount of benefits a household can receive, regardless of need.
Read the full letter to the PM here.
Westminster Hall Debate on PIP: A Westminster Hall debate on Personal Independence Payment and disabled people is scheduled for Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 2:30pm. The debate will be led by Diane Abbott MP.
COST OF LIVING
May Quick Links fact sheet: 2025 MAY Cost of Living Crisis Factsheet
EMPLOYMENT
EHRC Guidance on Trans Rights: On 16 April 2025, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the terms “man,” “woman,” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex, not gender identity, raising questions about equality, inclusion, and safety for the trans community. Interim guidance from the EHRC advising that transgender individuals should not use single-sex facilities that correspond to their gender identity has been heavily criticised. Critics argue that it will lead to discrimination and unsafe scenarios in the workplace for transgender individuals.
The EHRC is set to release formal guidance on the Supreme Court’s ruling by June 2025, which will influence workplace policies regarding trans employees.
HOUSING
Supported Housing in Crisis: More than 150 organisations, among them Age UK and Refuge, have raised serious concerns that the supported housing sector in England is facing a severe financial crisis. A combination of reduced government funding and increasing operational costs is putting major pressure on providers, with close to one in five supported housing units—accommodating around 70,000 people—potentially facing closure.
IMMIGRATION
Changes to immigration rules that affect the recruitment of overseas health and care staff:
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Recruitment Prioritisation: Care providers in England are now required to demonstrate that they have made genuine efforts to recruit workers already living in the UK before turning to overseas applicants. Read more here.
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Increased Salary Threshold: The minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa has risen to £25,000 per year or £12.82 per hour. This applies to most roles in the health and care sector, including care workers and senior care workers. The general Skilled Worker visa salary threshold remains £38,700 per year. Read more here.
ENERGY
Energy Meter Replacement: Hundreds of thousands of households are at risk of losing heating or hot water when the Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) meters, which control off-peak electricity usage, are switched off on 30 June 2025. Campaigners warn that over 300,000 homes could be left without functional meters, potentially disrupting heating or leaving it running constantly. The government has urged the industry to speed up replacements, but concerns remain about the challenges, especially in rural areas and for vulnerable households.
OTHER
Digital Switchover: The UK is transitioning from traditional landlines to digital phone services as part of a nationwide digital switchover. This change is scheduled to be completed by January 31, 2027, with some areas already undergoing the switch. The new system uses broadband connections instead of copper wires, offering more reliable and faster communication. According to BT, Dorset residents will be contacted by their service providers in autumn 2025. We have heard reports that there have been a number of scams related to the switchover, with scammers targeting vulnerable customers. CACD will begin awareness raising around the issue in May 2025.
Research and Reports
Prevalence of Mental Health Issues Amongst Students Increasing: A new report published by the House of Commons Library has revealed that university students disclosing a mental health condition to their university is five times higher that a decade earlier. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, one of the factors that contributes to students suffering with mental health issues is financial pressure, including managing own finances for the first time, worries about debt, and poverty. Read the full report here.
Where Cuts to Disability Benefits Will Fall Hardest: Approximately 900,000 children live in households where someone receives the LCWRA element of Universal Credit. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation are reporting that children will be disproportionally affected by the governments proposed changes to the benefits system. Read the report here.
Upcoming Events
LGBT+ Network Event, 7 May 10:00 – 11:00 (online): A network for all wanting to support LGBT+ people in Dorset. Meet LGBT+ support organisations and those who wish to be allies with LGBT+ communities. Book your place here.
Dorset Community Action Bite-Sized Training, 20 May 2025 14:00 – 16:15 (online): DCA are offering training on the following topics: 1. Writing a Killer Bid (14:00-14:45) 2. Community Spaces and Training (14:45-15:30) 3. Reporting to Funders and Other Stakeholders (15:30-16:15). Sign up here.
Nature Buddies Webinar, 6 May 11:00 – 12:00 (online): Nature Buddies support people to overcome barriers such as anxiety or low confidence, lack of knowledge or safety concerns to get outside and enjoy local parks and gardens, access activities or simply observe wildlife from their window. This new initiative led by the Dorset National Landscape team aims to build a network of trained Nature Buddies who can be matched to people in need of support. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a Nature Buddy come along to an information sharing webinar. More information here.
Stop Loan Sharks Thurs, 22 May 14:30 – 16:00 (online) : Loan shark training that will provide advice on community safety, safeguarding, financial and emotional well-being. Sign up for the free event here.
Funding
Wessex Water Environment Fund: The Wessex Water Environment Fund supports charitable and community activities that improve local biodiversity or have a positive impact on the local environment for local people. Applicants must be based and working in Dorset or Ringwood. See here for further details.
LAG Funding: The Local Alliance Group (LAG) are inviting applicants to apply for funding for projects that support children, young people and families. More information here.
BCP Food and Energy Support Fund: This programme distributes part of the funds allocated by the UK government’s Household Support Fund to BCP Council. Grants of up to £12,000 will be awarded to applicants that are delivering community initiatives that support BCP households impacted by the rising costs of living. Organisations must work in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and priority will be given to those based in the area. For further details see here.
SWEF Enterprise Fund: The SWEF Enterprise Fund awards grants of up to £2,000 to young people in Dorset who are launching a new businesses or running a new business that is within its first two years of trading. See here for further details.
Talbot Village Trust: The Trust can fund projects of any size that support local residents. They support charities, faith-based groups, schools, universities and non-profits in South East Dorset. See here for further details.
