Hugh defends Faversham job centre

HUGH ROBERTSON OBTAINS GUARANTEE FROM MINISTER OVER JOB CENTRE

Hugh Robertson today obtained a guarantee from the Minister, Jane Kennedy, that she would investigate personally the proposed closure of Faversham Job Centre, before any decision is taken. The Minister made the guarantee in response to a question from the MP at the Department for Work and Pensions Question Time in Parliament.

Hugh asked the Minister whether two factors had been taken into account:-

1. The 20% rise in people claiming disability allowance since 1997, who did not show up in the Job Centre figures, but, in many cases, came off the unemployment figures.

2. The fact that those claiming Job Seekers Allowance were unlikely to be able to access the new Job Centre Plus facilities in Sittingbourne because they needed face to face care.

The Minister guaranteed that she would look into the specific circumstances in Faversham before a final decision was made.

Hugh said: “I am delighted that the Minister has agreed to look into the proposed closure of Faversham Job Centre personally. I still have serious concerns about the implications for our most seriously disadvantaged constituents and it is vital that their interests are safeguarded.”