COMMONSENSE MUST PREVAIL AT JOB CENTRE PLUS

 

COMMONSENSE MUST PREVAIL AT JOB CENTRE PLUS

 

MSP for Falkirk West Michael Matheson has today asked Job Centre Plus for a ‘little commonsense’ when it comes to those unable to attend bi-weekly meetings due to serious illness.

The Sunday Post today [Sunday] reported that terminally ill cancers patients across Scotland are being put at risk of having their benefits, which they are fully entitled to, taken away because they are unable to attend meetings at their local jobs centres due to their ill health.

Commenting, Michael Matheson said:

“These are very alarming reports that have emerged today. It is even more concerning that this appears to be common practise across the whole of Scotland and not just an unique case.

“The previous Labour Government had said that serious ill cancer patients were to be exempt from these means tests but sadly that appears not to be case.

 

“A little commonsense would have stopped this absurd and ridiculous practise which has no doubt caused a great deal of worry for those threatened with having their benefits removed, on top of what surely is already a traumatic time for those involved.

“Job Centre Plus must now resolve this as soon as possible and offer an apology to those who have been affected.”