Hugh FIGHTS for Faversham Job Centre

MP AND MAYOR ATTEND MEETING OVER FUTURE OF FAVERSHAM JOB CENTRE

Hugh Robertson and Mrs Cindy Davis, the Mayor attended a meeting on Friday 26 March with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in Canterbury over the future of the Faversham Job Centre. The meeting followed the government department’s decision to close the centre as part of the Job Centre Plus Implementation programme.

At the meeting, the DWP laid out two key facts relating to the existing Job Centre:-

1. There are only 22 people in the Faversham area who have been claiming Job Seekers Allowance for over six months. There are 211 who claim it in total in addition to 725 on income support and 757 on incapacity benefit. The majority of these benefits are already administered from Swale and the 22 people are deemed insufficient to warrant a separate office.

2. The existing Job Centre premises will not conform with Health and Safety regulations or the new Disability regulations by 2007.

The DWP team have already conceded that the Faversham Job Centre will remain open until May 2005 by which time the new arrangements will be working at Swale.

At the meeting, the following additional concessions were offered:

1. A face to face enquiries and support service two mornings a week in either the library or the Alexander Centre.

2. A permanent customer access phone at the Alexander Centre.

3. Home visits if the circumstances warrant.

4. A review after six months.

Hugh Robertson said: “I am extremely surprised that the usage figures quoted for the Job Centre are so low. I have, therefore, written to both the Town Council and the Citizens Advice Bureau to ask them to consider the result of our meeting and let me have their views.

“I am pleased that no closure will occur before May 2005 and before the new system is operational in Sittingbourne. I also recognise that the new system will help many of our unemployed by giving them a greater range of job opportunities. I am also grateful for the concessions already offered.

“However, my major concern remains the most seriously disadvantaged in the town – which is why I am surprised that they only appear to number 22. That is why I need the help of the CAB and the Town Council.

“I will do everything in my power to fight for the survival of our Job Centre – including taking the matter up in Parliament if necessary.”