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14 September, 2020 Open access

Now is not the time to bring more claimants into Jobcentres, says Public and Commercial Services Union

In response, DWP says appointments should be done by telephone where possible but sets out priority groups to be offered face-to-face appointments

Now is not the time to bring more claimants into the Jobcentre, the Public and Commercial Services  (PCS) Union has said.

Expressing frustration that the DWP failed to consult with the union prior to publishing guidance (on 8 September 2020) on 'Bringing customers safely into our Jobcentres', the PCS says that not only should the DWP not be reopening the Jobcentre network, but it should also be enabling as many staff as possible to work from home -

'PCS negotiators met with senior DWP management and firstly expressed our disappointment once again at the poor consultation from the employer. We made it absolutely clear that this was not the time to bringing more claimants into Jobcentres given the fact that the number of COVID-19 deaths are on the increase across the country and the R number is above 1 across the UK ...'

As a result, the PCS says that the Department confirmed that any extra capacity in Jobcentres should be used safely, with the safety of staff and the public paramount, and that appointments should still be done by telephone if possible.

However, it reports that the DWP's management also advised that face-to-face appointments will continue to be offered in relation to, but not limited to - 

For more information, see PCS raises concerns regarding bringing more claimants into Jobcentres from pcs.org.uk