PCS responds to Get Britain Working white paper

Union welcomes greater resources for JobCentres but warns toughening sanctions will be counterproductive 

Responding to the government’s Get Britain Working white paper, Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union general secretary Fran Heathcote said:

“Greater resources for Jobcentres and more flexibility for work coaches to deliver a more personalised service is welcome, as is improved co-ordination with local labour markets, but toughening sanctions will be counterproductive, as the DWP’s own research shows*. Our members want to help people, not punish them.

“Many of the DWP’s own workers are having to claim Universal Credit because of endemic low pay in the civil service, and the Government needs to do more to boost pay right across the workforce.”

ends

Notes to Editors

PCS represents tens of thousands of members working for the DWP and in JobCentres across the country.

*See https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/dwp-benefit-sanctions-foi-long-suppressed-report-shows-link-slow-progress-into-work