2011-09-30
Labour MP Asks Questions of Jobcentre Plus
Labour MP Sandra Osborne is seeking answers to questions which have recently been raised with her about the operation of Cumnock Job Centre.
Sandra said:
I am concerned to hear from constituents that there appears to be an access problem for disabled people at Cumnock Job Centre. At a recent surgery I was advised that people who are not fit to go upstairs at the Cumnock Job Centre building are being asked to travel to Kilmarnock to sign on. If this is happening it is totally unacceptable as I was previously given assurances by Department of Work and Pensions officials that there was a budget available to ensure that the current Job Centre premises would be accessible and fully fit for purpose.
Sandra also said that local councillors had been in touch with her about local people who had contacted them about mix ups over appointment times at the Job Centre.
Sandra said:
I understand some local councillors have received complaints from people who are being suspended from benefit because they are not turning up for appointments. However a number of people that this has happened to are contacting councillors to say they have not received a letter calling them to the appointment in the first place.
Sandra concluded by saying that both of these matters gave her cause for concern and she said that she will contacting senior officials at both a local and national level to ensure urgent action is taken to address the issues involved.
Labour MP Asks Questions of Jobcentre Plus
Labour MP Sandra Osborne is seeking answers to questions which have recently been raised with her about the operation of Cumnock Job Centre.
Sandra said:
I am concerned to hear from constituents that there appears to be an access problem for disabled people at Cumnock Job Centre. At a recent surgery I was advised that people who are not fit to go upstairs at the Cumnock Job Centre building are being asked to travel to Kilmarnock to sign on. If this is happening it is totally unacceptable as I was previously given assurances by Department of Work and Pensions officials that there was a budget available to ensure that the current Job Centre premises would be accessible and fully fit for purpose.
Sandra also said that local councillors had been in touch with her about local people who had contacted them about mix ups over appointment times at the Job Centre.
Sandra said:
I understand some local councillors have received complaints from people who are being suspended from benefit because they are not turning up for appointments. However a number of people that this has happened to are contacting councillors to say they have not received a letter calling them to the appointment in the first place.
Sandra concluded by saying that both of these matters gave her cause for concern and she said that she will contacting senior officials at both a local and national level to ensure urgent action is taken to address the issues involved.