The Void Blog
(Black Triangle) See also PCS post: DMA Targets 25 June 2012
‘Background: In April 2011 the Guardian Newspaper ran a series of articles exposing the target culture that had developed in Jobcentre Plus for the sanctioning of claimants.’
PCS members have spoken out, are speaking out and will continue to do so. We must all move forward together in solidarity. Time to abandon fear and stand up to the fascist bullies in charge of the DWP.
Workers and claimants: Unite and Fight! The time is NOW!
See too: Report From Wednesday’s PCS Strike Posted on March 22, 2013
SOLIDARITY!
Posted on March 22, 2013 by johnny void
It is inconceivable that Iain Duncan Smith did not know about jobcentre targets to sanction benefit claims.
It is contemptible that he is now attempting to blame jobcentre staff for his policy.
A story in published by The Guardian last night contains details from a whistle-blower at Walthamstow Jobcentre which confirm the existence of ‘sanction’ league tables. According to the paper:
“Ruth King, a jobcentre adviser manager, discloses in the email that she has received “the stricter benefit regime” figures for her area, adding: “As you can see Walthamstow are 95th in the league table out of only 109″ – the number of jobcentres in London and the home counties.”
Iain Duncan Smith tried to shrug of this damning testimony in Parliament this morning by saying a reminder was being sent out to jobcentres that they are not supposed to get caught using targets to sanction claimants.
Jobcentres management structures are broken down into regions and districts:
As these league tables cover the whole of the London and the Home Counties, they can only have been authorised by regional management who are headed up by a Work Service Director.*
It is not Jobcentre staff who are responsible for these league tables, but senior DWP management.
It is astonishing that Iain Duncan Smith can claim he knows nothing about what is taking place under his very nose.
The PCS Union know, district and regional jobcentre management know, jobcentre staff know and claimants certainly know. Are Iain Duncan Smith and Mark Hoban really so out of touch with what their own managers are doing that they are the only people in the entire organisation who don’t have a clue what’s going on?
Even when presented with the evidence in Parliament this morning Iain Duncan Smith still bleated :
“There are no targets for sanctions”.
The DWP have been caught bang to rights but still ministers plead innocence.
Iain Duncan Smith has said that anyone using targets to sanction claimants will be disciplined.
For once in his life he should follow the Seven Principles of Public Life by being honest, open and accountable and then sacking himself.
*the DWP publish a handy list of regional and district managers for claimants wishing to make complaints at a senior level.
Phone numbers and emails are included (also on google in case it disappears): http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/jcp-district-managers.pdf
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9 Responses
Given that the government has hailed any action by disgruntled DWP staff as being futile, i would appreciate it, if any person working at DWP could send me evidence that would bring this evil regime to its knees.
Any evidence, however small would be appreciated.
It goes without question that your identity would be kept secret. Evidence from ATOS contracts would be warmly welcomed, in light of the evil being perpetrated against the disabled.
How would they contact you Geoff?
Can I just say that for evil to flourish all it takes is for good people to do nothing, say nothing, look the other way, put their heads in the sand, (quote from ?)
Anyway, this evil has gone on for long enough. Remember Callum’s list. Also remember one day, next week, next month, next year, it could be you.
Even when I worked in a JC, some 15 years ago, one of the returns each month to HQ covered the numbers who had been sanctioned, ie benefits stopped. These were compared with each JC and a certain number was expected to be achieved each month. IDS lies – as we all know!
Iain Duncan Smith saying a reminder was being sent out to jobcentres that they are not supposed to get caught using targets to sanction claimants. Do the decent thing and put a pistol to your head and pull the trigger…
IDS is useing the nuramburg defence= I vas only followink orders…
We Really Need Better People Running the Country who Seek to Help People
Not Harm People
Bring Politicians to Account
Kate Middleton feels unwell, Queen has the trots, all headline news. Fast forward to the real world where people are dying……….
Not the headline news that the privileged by way of birthright are afforded, but carefully pushed onto the back burner, hidden from sight.
Human beings, flesh and blood. Having the same skin, vital organs and skeleton as the rich, but doomed to insignificance by a non caring government.
They dont shop in Harrods, nor do they drive pearlescent limousines, they dress for warmth, not fashion. Mummy and Daddy loved them just the same, maybe more?
The toffs were sent away to be educated. To be taught the fundamentals of life. Did Mummy and Daddy love them so much they sent them away?
Of course they did!
Tristran and Angeline did them proud. Mixing in the right circles and fond of their new found superiority………..
Meanwhile in the real world, Tom and Jane struggled to make ends meet. They left school to chase jobs to help mum and dad get by………..
Education meant nothing to them really. They had a firm understanding that we were all created equal and had a circle of ordinary friends. Working long hours they brought in a minimum wage that allowed their parents to shop at a hypermarket on the edge of town.
Tristran became a banker in his fathers business and Angeline attended the sorbonne. Tristran shopped in Fortnum and Masons whilst his sister preferred the fashions of the Champs Elysees……………
Four people, two different backgrounds……
Just one problem, they will never be equal in our country!
The haves and have nots are likened to pedigree and mongrels…..
Sadly the cross breeding is usually on the side of the wealth, maybe the reason they imagine they are superior. A genetic abnormality?
Tom and Jane are technically job seekers. The fish finger firm where they were employed closed down.
Toms been sanctioned because the bus broke down on the way to an interview, he’s scared to tell his mum…..
Tristrans turned twenty one and can use the cash from grandads trust fund to buy a flat in canary wharf.
From the new flat,Tristran can see the chapel where the poor go to get food parcels…..
Daddy and his friends were right, “they are a blight on the landscape”
“Tomorrow i’ll ring Daddys chum Rupert to put more pressure on Ian Duncan Smith, his classmate”
“If sanctions arent working , would it be possible to kill them?”, i asked….
Ian Duncan Smith rang me today and said, “Cant you see i’m trying”
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It shows what a complete farce the equality propaganda that we have have been force-fed in recent years in this country really is!
Money can not buy your way up the evolutionary ladder in fact quite the reverse is indisputable.
Iain Duncan Smith is turning into Liam Byrne