Welcome to this week’s E News on the Citizens Advice Dorset website. Just a reminder that 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, BUT if there is something urgent in-between we will send out a short 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 Caroline Buxton at Citizens Advice Central Dorset: [email protected]
Information updates
August cost of living fact sheet:
2024 AUGUST Cost-of-Living-Crisis-factsheet
HOT WEATHER
By the time you read this newsletter the heatwave may have passed. Information is available from the Health Security Agency, including a Heat-Health Action Alert Card – here. There is a higher risk to people experiencing homelessness, so locally BCP Council and partners have activated a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). St Mungo’s is providing extra support to those sleeping rough. To refer a person sleeping rough to BCPSOS: Call 01202 315962
GOVT UPDATES
Recent announcements – in the King’s speech and other speeches:
- Renters’ Rights Bill: The King’s Speech announced that: “Legislation will be introduced to give greater rights and protections to people renting their homes”. Some clients may think that Section 21 has now been abolished, however, we are likely to have to wait until autumn for a draft bill, and possibly into 2025 until the legislation is passed.
- The Government will implement the existing Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and introduce a Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill to: enact Law Commission recommendations (i.e. leasehold enfranchisement, Right to Manage, tackling ground rents, removing the threat of forfeiture), and take steps to bring the leasehold system to an end, reinvigorating commonhold and banning the sale of new leasehold flats.
- The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced the creation of a new Labour Market Advisory Board, and the publication of a White Paper which will build on manifesto commitments of a three-pillared approach to support people into work. Read more here.
- The Prime Minister and Education Secretary have announced the launch of Skills England to bring together the fractured skills landscape and create a shared national ambition to boost the nation’s skills. Read the press release here.
- The Prime Minister has appointed the Work and Pensions Secretary and the Education Secretary as the joint leads of a new ministerial taskforce to begin work on the Child Poverty Strategy. A new Child Poverty Unit in the Cabinet Office – bringing together expert officials from across government as well as external experts – will report into the taskforce. Read the press release here.
- One thing that is not happening at this stage is the removal of the 2 child benefit cap.
- You can read the briefing notes on the King’s Speech here.
BENEFITS
Changes to winter fuel payments: Winter fuel payments are an annual one off payment currently paid to anyone over pension age, regardless of their income. The Chancellor has announced that for winter 2024/25, winter fuel payments will be only be paid to households with someone over state pension age and receiving one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
It’s going to be more important than ever to carry out benefit checks and encourage clients to claim what they’re entitled to. It is expected that there will be a cut off date, a ‘qualifying week’ for new claims to passport to the winter fuel payment so we will let you know when this is announced.
Personal Independence Payment: The charity Turn2Us launched a PIP Helper on their public website. This is to guide clients through the process of a PIP claim. It’s really simple to use so could be a tool to signpost to if your client is comfortable with digital access.
EMPLOYMENT
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) – revised guidance on discriminatory adverts: The EHRC has updated its guidance to those placing (job) adverts to ensure they are lawful and do not discriminate. The updated guidance clarifies “occupational requirements” under the Equality Act 2010, identifying that occupational requirement exceptions are often incorrectly applied, particularly where the protected characteristic is sex. The updated guidance – here – clarifies that occupational requirements relating to “sex” means the legal sex recorded on a birth certificate or Gender Recognition Certificate. The guidance advises on identifying a discriminatory advert, when it’s lawful to restrict a job or service to particular groups, how a complaint can be made and the EHRC’s approach to discriminatory adverts.
Fire and rehire – statutory code of practice: Fire and rehire/dismissal and re-engagement refers to the practice of making employees redundant and then rehiring them on reduced terms and conditions. The Dismissal and Re-engagement Acas Code of Practice – guidance here – came into effect on 18 July 2024, identifying that employers that fail to follow the code may be subject to an uplift of up to 25% for Employment Tribunal (ET) claims arising from a fire and rehire scenario, but the new code won’t apply where there’s a failure to consult/protective award.
OTHER
Financial Ombudsman Service: The Financial Ombudsman Service is a free and easy-to-use service that settles complaints between consumers and businesses that provide financial services. We resolve disputes fairly and impartially, and have the power to put things right. It has published guidance – here – for professional representatives about referring a complaint for investigation. You’ll also see links to the complaint form you must use – as well as to other resources and useful information.
Events
Resolution Foundation briefing: A brighter shade of grey? The current outlook for living standards. Thursday 29 August 2024, 9:30am – 10:45am – an in-person and interactive webinar. Following a presentation of the key highlights from its 2024 Living Standards Outlook, we will hear from leading experts on what might happen to disposable incomes over this parliament, and how policy can shape and improve the outlook. Register here.
Skills & Learning
- Multiply Numeracy Programme: We have just over six months of funding left for the Multiply numeracy programme and are keen to use this government funding to do as much as we can to improve maths and numeracy skills across Dorset. Various courses are available – read more here.
- National Numeracy Champions Scheme: This provides funding for National Numeracy to train and support 25 Numeracy Champions across Dorset. National Numeracy is hosting an information event for stakeholders on Tuesday, 20th August, 10am to 11am for any organisations interested in finding out more about the scheme and expressing interest in taking part. Register here.
Right to Remain – Solidarity Session, Bournemouth: On Monday 12th August, 10 – 2.30, Right to Remain is partnering with Refugee Support Europe and Portland Global Friendship Group to deliver a Solidarity Session for individuals, groups and organisations working across Dorset and the South West. There will be two Legal Education workshops, followed by a communal lunch. There will also be plenty of opportunity to connect with local grassroots organisations standing in solidarity with people in the asylum and immigration system, as well as local campaign groups. Register here.
Frontline worker energy awareness training: Citizens Advice EDP are running online training for frontline workers, to help effectively identify fuel poverty, as well as provide advice to clients experiencing it. Session last 1.5 hours – various dates – and there are also ‘refresher’ sessions. Book via eventbrite.
Reports, research etc
Citizens Advice report on designing a ‘Fair Work Agency’: The Citizens Advice policy team has published a new report aiming to influence the creation of a single enforcement body/Fair Work Agency. In 2023-24 CA helped more than 100,000 people with more than 192,000 employment issues; these are often the people most at risk of experiencing poor treatment, working in low-paid and insecure jobs, without trade union protection. In this report we identify several barriers which the government will need to ensure the FWA can overcome, and look at how approaches to powers and funding of other UK enforcement bodies can be profitably replicated in this space. Read more here.
Acas – 2023/24 report: The Acas annual report highlights that workplace conflict was ‘alarmingly persistent.’ Of 600,000 calls to the Acas helpline, 40% were about discipline, dismissal and grievances. There were roughly 103,000 Early Conciliation notifications, with the main issues comprising wages (27%), dismissal (26% ) and disability (15%). However, only 30% became ET claims, either due to settlement or the claimant didn’t proceed. Read more here.
Through the roof – rising rents, disrepair, and evictions: This new Citizens Advice report looks at things for private renters, who are at the sharp end of the living standards crisis, facing a perfect storm of ever-increasing rents, damp, cold and mouldy homes, and very little power to do anything about it. We’re urging the new government to prioritise renters when tackling the living standards crisis. Read more here.
National Audit Office – report on DWP customer service: This report looks at the current situation and finds very poor performance in some areas, for example only 52% of PIP claims were processed in line with the 75-day standard in 2023-24.
Healthwatch Dorset – Annual Report 2023-24: This report highlights how HWD listened to over 2,000 people last year, supporting them to have their say to improve health and social care and to get information and advice about local services. Read more here.
Funding News
National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) – UK Fund: This was launched last year and is part of the commitment to the new strategy ‘It Starts with Community’ which aims to tackle social issues facing UK communities. A year on, NLCF is increasing the focus and investment in creating lasting change for children and young people as part of its community-led mission to support communities to help children and young people thrive. Grants of between £500,000 and £5 million are available for not-for-profit projects that run for 2 to 10 years. The funding is intended to increase the impact of what is already being done.
Webinars are being held on 1 and 6 August. To book a place – and for more information – go to their website, here.
BH Coastal Lottery Small Grants Scheme: Open to charities or community groups based in the Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council area who would benefit from a grant of up to £2,500. To apply for a grant of between £200 and £2,500, your project must benefit residents living in the BCP Council area and help contribute to developing a vibrant community. Your project should include strong volunteer or resident involvement. Priority will be given to projects where a small grant will make a significant difference.
To check eligibility, and find the application form, go to the BCP Council website here. The deadline for applications is 22 August 2024.