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]
Information Updates
BENEFITS
Citizens Advice Report – Pathways to Poverty: How planned cuts to disability benefits will impact the people we support.
Citizens Advice has issued a stark warning about the UK government’s proposed cuts to disability benefits arguing that it will drive hundreds of thousands of people into poverty. The report explains:
By refusing to properly consult on its plan to cut billions from disability benefits, the government is choosing not to ask questions it doesn’t want the answers to. The cuts will have a devastating impact on disabled people (and their children), sending hundreds of thousands into poverty, and many more into deeper poverty. This will result from a series of arbitrary reforms that have been designed around savings targets rather than improving outcomes, inflicting hardship on people in ways that the government doesn’t yet fully understand.
Read the full report here.
Safeguarding Benefit Claimants after Tragic Deaths: A new House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee report calls for major reforms to the DWP’s safeguarding procedures, following serious failings linked to the deaths of vulnerable benefit claimants including Errol Graham, Philippa Day, and Kevin Gale. The report criticises a culture focused more on cost-cutting than claimant wellbeing, and recommends a statutory safeguarding duty, better identification of vulnerable individuals, and stronger coordination with local services. Read the report here.
Private US firm that assesses UK disability benefit claimants posts record profits and £10m dividend: Maximus, the US firm responsible for assessing UK disability benefits, reported a 23% increase in pre-tax profits, with revenues growing to £300 million. The company secured a five-year UK government contract worth £800 million to provide functional assessment services, including evaluations for benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit.
Ministers Consider Changes to Welfare Reforms: It has been reported that ministers are contemplating modifications to planned welfare reforms, including changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), to prevent a possible rebellion from Labour MPs. Like Citizens Advice, MPs are opposed to the proposals due to concerns they would severely cut support for disabled people and worsen poverty.
Two-Child Benefit Cap: It has been reported that the Prime Minister is considering abolishing the two-child benefit cap. The policy restricts Universal Credit and child tax credit claims to the first two children in a family.
EMPLOYMENT
Change in Jobcentre Plus Policies: Speaking to the Guardian, Employment Minister Alison McGovern announced a shift in Jobcentre Plus policies, stating that jobseekers will no longer be compelled to accept “any job” regardless of quality. The Minister explained to the newspaper that the previous Conservative approach, which required jobseekers to accept any low-paid or insecure job, was being scrapped. Instead, she said the focus would now shift towards helping people find meaningful, long-term employment with better prospects.
IMMIGRATION
FAQs on Government Immigration White Paper: The House of Commons Library has published a list of frequently asked questions about the UK government’s immigration white paper proposals in 2025, including a longer qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. For a good overview of the paper read the FAQs here.
Research and Reports
CPAG’s Response to Benefit Cuts: Child Poverty Action Group have responded to the government’s Pathways to Work green paper and subsequent Spring Statement. CPAG argue that the cuts will push 50,000 children into poverty, and reduce living standards for many more. Read the full report here.
No Workaround: The Resolution Foundation have produced a report assessing the impact of the Spring 2025 disability and incapacity benefit reforms on employment. The report:
On the Government’s own figures, 3.2 million families will lose out, 250,000 people will fall into poverty, and 700,000 families will fall further below the poverty line. These benefit cuts were accompanied by a significant increase in employment support costing a cumulative £1.9 billion between 2026-27 and 2029-30 but with over half of that not coming until the final year.
Read the full report here.
Upcoming Events
Refugee Week in Dorset – 16 June – 27 June, Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Community Space, Dorchester: As part of Refugee Week 2025, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery proudly hosts Community as a Superpower – a powerful exhibition celebrating the creativity, resilience, and contributions of refugees living in Dorset. This event is a collaboration between Dorset Council’s Youth Voice Team and the Refugee Resettlement Team, highlighting the essential role of the community in supporting those who have sought sanctuary in the UK.
Policy in Practice – Understanding the impact of disability benefits reforms on local authorities, Wed, 27 August, 10:30am – 11:45 (online): This online webinar could be useful for charities in Dorset to get a better understanding of how the proposed benefits reforms will impact local authorities. Register here.
Dorset Community Action – Community Spaces Networking: ‘Keeping Costs Down’: Wed, 18 June, 10am – 11:30am (online): This networking meeting will concentrate on community groups you can keep costs down. They will be looking at energy costs and big-ticket items such as annual insurance. Sign up here.
Citizens Advice Data Insights – Spotlight on Disability: Tuesday, 26 June, 14:00 – 15:00 (online): Join Citizens Advice as we examine how cuts to disability benefits are expected to pull hundreds of thousands of disabled people into poverty. Link here.
Funding
BCP Thriving Communities Fund: Dorset Community Foundation are offering grants of up to £5,000 supporting capital costs to improve community buildings. The grants are to support capital improvements, for community groups running community buildings in BCP that provide facilities for local community-led groups and activities. Further details can be found here.
Community & Culture Project Fund: The fund provides small grants to organisations who want to start new activities and events that benefit the local community. Deadline Thursday 5 June. Read the details here.