Janet Dean
Labour Member of Parliament for the Burton Constituency
News Release
2nd March 2007
MP welcomes improvements to local benefit services
Janet Dean, MP for Burton and Uttoxeter, has welcomed changes which will soon be made to the way benefit claims are handled by the local Jobcentre Plus office.
Janet Dean said,
"My office deals with a very large number of cases involving benefit claims. Often families are in dire straits and need urgent help. In recent months I have been aware of very long delays before people receive their money. The new system of claiming by telephone has created more problems. It is really not appropriate for vulnerable people, some of whom may have complex financial problems which are hard to explain, to have to try and make their initial claim without face to face interview. Constituents have also told me how difficult it is to contact the Benefit Office in Hanley by phone to try and find out why their claim has been delayed."
"The East Staffordshire Citizen's Advice Bureau has also contacted me to tell me of similar problems for their clients."
"I have been in touch with the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus and I have been very encouraged by her response. Jobcentre Plus recognises the difficulties caused by the telephone claim system and they are making changes in Staffordshire from April. People wanting to claim will only have to make one call and an interview will then be arranged to take details of their claim. Other changes will speed up benefit delivery and will make it easier for people to cantact the Hanley office about their claims."
"I will be monitoring the proposed changes on behalf of constituents and the local CAB to ensure that people get the service they need quickly and efficiently."
Ends
Ground Floor, Cross Street Business Centre, Cross Street, Burton upon Trent DE14 1EF
tEL: 01283 509166 fAX: 01283 569964
