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.
You can now subscribe to the newsletter (it is free and you will get an automatic notification when it is published) – and do encourage colleagues to subscribe too. The subscribe option is at the bottom of this page.
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]
Information Updates
BENEFITS
Macmillan to End Partnership with Citizens Advice, Reducing Access to Critical Benefits Support for Cancer Patients: Macmillan Cancer Support has announced plans to discontinue its £14 million-per-year specialist benefits advice service, which has been operated in partnership with 70 local Citizens Advice branches. This service has been instrumental in assisting cancer patients with navigating the benefits system, securing over £112 million in support for 34,000 individuals in 2022 alone.
For many people living with cancer, this advice service has been a lifeline—helping them access the financial support they need to manage treatment, travel, and daily living costs during an incredibly difficult time. We are doing everything we can to change this situation, working with partners and raising the alarm about the consequences of withdrawing such a vital support service.
Opposition to Benefit Cuts: Forty-two Labour MPs have written to the Prime Minister expressing strong opposition to the government’s proposed green paper on disability benefits cuts. They argue that the reforms will worsen poverty. The MPs are calling for a delay in the proposals to allow for further consultation and impact assessments. Their letter signals significant internal dissent, highlighting concerns that these cuts will deepen hardship without addressing the root causes of unemployment.
COST OF LIVING
May Quick Links fact sheet: 2025 MAY Cost of Living Crisis Factsheet
EMPLOYMENT
A Recent DWP Report on the Experience of Additional Work Coach Support Revealed the Following:
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Inconsistent and Impersonal Support: People reported receiving generic, one-size-fits-all advice, with some work coaches lacking empathy or understanding of their individual needs, leading to ineffective support.
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Poor Communication and Clarity: Many felt there was a lack of clear communication regarding the support process, expectations, and available options, leaving them confused and disengaged.
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Time and Resource Constraints: Short, rushed appointments and a focus on compliance over personalised support led to feelings of frustration and unmet needs, with customers unable to fully address their barriers to work.
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Lack of Continuity and Trust: Frequent changes in work coaches and the absence of consistent, ongoing support hindered relationship-building, making it difficult for people to feel supported in their journey toward employment.
The report can be read here.
IMMIGRATION
Proposed Immigration Reforms: The government has published an immigration white paper, titled Restoring Control Over the Immigration System. Below are some of the key proposals:
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Doubling Settlement Time Requirement: The proposal to extend the period migrants must reside in the UK before applying for permanent settlement from five to ten years could create unnecessary delays and uncertainty for migrants seeking stability.
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Skilled Worker Visa Thresholds: The white paper proposes raising the qualification level for skilled worker visas to RQF Level 6 (graduate level) and increasing salary thresholds. The immigration salary list would be abolished, and access to the points-based system would be limited to occupations with long-term shortages, as advised by the Migration Advisory Committee.
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Social Care Visas: The plan includes ending overseas recruitment for social care workers.
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Student Visas: The white paper proposes reducing the post-study work period for graduates from two years to 18 months. It also suggests strengthening requirements for sponsoring institutions and introducing interventions for those failing to meet sponsor duties
- Asylum Processing: Labour plans to resume processing asylum applications for individuals who have entered the UK illegally, reversing the Conservative government’s stance that blocked such claims.
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Refugee Week 2025: This year the festival takes place from 16-22nd June 2025 and the theme is “Community as a Superpower”. Dorset will be holding a number of events that will be detailed in the next newsletter. There are high levels of misinformation and misunderstanding about asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, which often fuel negative public perceptions. To combat this, the Refugee Council has developed a useful explainer to provide clear, factual information – read it here.
FAMILIES
New Parenting App for Dorset Families: Families will now have access to parenting advice for 0-5 year olds with the new EasyPeasy app which Dorset Council is making available to all residents.
OTHER
Dorset Council Bringing Forward Economic Growth Strategy: This new strategy sets out how the council intends to deliver economic prosperity for the people and businesses of Dorset. Read the draft strategy (page 19) here.
Prison Crisis: The UK is currently facing a severe prison overcrowding crisis, with the adult male prison estate operating at nearly 99% capacity and the overall prison population at approximately 88,000. Without intervention, projections indicate that men’s prisons could reach full capacity within five months. Read the MOJ Press Statement here.
Research and Reports
Capital Rules and Universal Credit: A report from the Resolution Foundation argues that because capital thresholds haven’t kept pace with inflation, families may have been discouraged from saving – undermining other government-backed schemes that encourage saving. Read the report here.
What Do Workers Want? Millions of workers in the UK have no control over their place of work and have minimal or no control over their schedules. This report from Timewise reveals that one of the key things workers want is autonomy. Read the report here.
How the Employment Rights Bill can make jobs work: “it is those who can’t work more hours, either because they can’t or the hours aren’t available, who face a particularly high risk of poverty” – new report from JRF on the ERB here.
UK Jobs Paying Below the Living Wage: A staggering 15.7% of employee jobs in the UK (4.5 million jobs) were paid below the real Living Wage in April 2024. Read the recent Living Wage Foundation report here.
Upcoming Events
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.
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. (Deadline 19 May)
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.
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.