Advice Dorset Partnership E News No. 6, 12 June 2025

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 – Updates from the Spending Review

Winter Fuel Payment Decision Reversal: The government announced in the Spending Review that more than 75% of pensioners in England and Wales will now receive the Winter Fuel Payment. In July 2024, Rachel Reeves announced that the WFP would be means-tested, limiting eligibility to pensioners receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. This decision effectively removed the payment from approximately 10 million pensioners. Pensioners with an income of £35,000 or less will receive the payment automatically this winter. 

Chancellor Rules out U-Turn on Benefits Reforms: Rachel Reeves confirmed to the BBC this week that the government will not reverse its planned cuts to disability benefits, despite pressure from charities like Citizens Advice and Labour MPs. Last month Citizens Advice produced a report on the devastating impact that these cuts will have on the people we support. Read the report here.

No Change to Two-Child Benefit Limit: There was no mention in the Spending Review of removing the two-child benefit cap. Responding to the Spending Review, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group Alison Garnham said:

The Chancellor described austerity as destructive but government is still rolling it out in the two-child limit which pulls 109 children into poverty every day. Struggling families won’t feel any renewal until the two-child limit – the biggest driver of rising child poverty – is scrapped and that must happen in the Autumn budget. National renewal doesn’t start with record child poverty. 

HOUSING

Spending Review – Affordable Housing Investment: The government has committed £39 billion over the next decade for affordable housing to try and meet their target of 1.5 million new homes by 2030. Housing charity Shelter have called the investment a “watershed moment”. Specific allocations for Dorset have not been detailed. 

New Dorset Rough Sleeping Recovery Service for Women: A new supported accommodation service for women facing homelessness and rough sleeping has welcomed its first residents. The Haven, a six-bed housing scheme operated by regional charity Julian House, is jointly funded by Dorset Council and Homes England. The service provides round-the-clock onsite support, delivered by an all-female team.

IMMIGRATION

Physical BRPs No Longer Accepted in UK: From 1 June 2025, the expired BRPs are no longer accepted as proof of immigration status. Individuals are now required to use the digital eVisa system to prove their right to remain, work, or access services in the UK. We have heard worrying reports from Dorset residents trying to reenter the country that they have been unable to fly due to errors with the eVisa system. 

OTHER

Bus Fare Cap Extended: The £3 cap on single bus fares in England has been extended until March 2027.

Council Tax Increases: Documents in the Spending Review indicate that Council Tax will increase by 5% per year. This increase will disproportionately affect those on lower incomes, as they spend a greater share of their earnings on essential living costs, making tax rises more challenging to manage.

BCP Community Governance Review: A Community Governance Review consultation, organised by BCP Council, closes on Sunday 22 June 2025. This review explores proposals to establish new town and parish councils in Broadstone, Redhill and Northbourne, Boscombe and Pokesdown, and Southbourne. With most of the former Poole and Bournemouth Council areas already having town councils, this is a unique opportunity for residents in these communities to participate directly in shaping local democracy. The council encourages more residents to share their views before the deadline.

Anti-Harassment Campaign Launched: The Safer BCP partnership for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has launched a powerful campaign addressing everyday harmful behaviours towards women and girls. The campaign targets actions that make women and girls feel uncomfortable or unsafe, such as catcalling, following, or unwanted comments. It urges men and boys to reflect on their own behaviour and attitudes, and to hold their friends accountable by speaking up and simply saying: “just don’t.” The organisers are also running a free Zoom event to learn about standing up to harassment (details in upcoming events section).

Jobs

Citizens East Dorset & Purbeck have a vacancy for an Office & HR Administrator to join their friendly team. If you are digitally engaged with a great eye for detail this is an excellent opportunity for you to join their service and provide comprehensive administrative support to their senior management team.

Research and Reports

National Health State: The Resolution Foundation have reacted to the 11 June Spending Review. They have identified that by the end of the decade the health service will account for 49% of all day-to-day public service spending controlled by Westminster (up from 34% in 2009). Read the analysis here.

Rural Bank Closures: The Rural Services Network have been highlighting the problem of rural bank closures – an issue that is affecting thousands of Dorset residents. Read more here.

Upcoming Events

Stand Up Against Harassment – 15 July, 12:30, online: Digital event to learn about standing up to harassment against women and girls. Sign up here.

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.