Day of action against benefit sanctions

This is taken from a Unite press release. PCS is supporting these actions and calls on members to do so as well.

Unite members across the North West urge government to stop cruel benefit sanctions causing destitution and misery to tens of thousands of families. Campaigners, members of Britain’s biggest union, Unite, will be protesting outside job centres across the North West tomorrow (Thursday 30 March) to reiterate their call for the government to stop its 'cruel and ineffective' benefit sanctions regime. This is part of a national day of action to stop benefit sanctions.

Last year an estimated total of 39,000 benefit claimants were sanctioned across the North West. Unite wants to highlight the shocking impact the government's benefit sanctions are having on individuals, driving people further into poverty, misery and even death.

Nationally, punitive sanctions have resulted in over 318,000 people having their welfare payments cut or stopped without warning in the last year, affecting thousands of children and dependant adults. Sanctions are given for reasons such as missing or being late for appointments with the job centre, or being too sick to 'actively seek work'.

North West regional actions:

Liverpool: Williamson Square Job Centre, Williamson Square, Liverpool City Centre - 11.00 to 1.30 pm.

Manchester: Protest outside Bolton DWP, Bolton Elizabeth House, 21 Back Spring Gardens, Bolton - 12.00 to 2.00 pm.

Ashton Job Centre, 101 Old Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 6BJ - 10.00  to 12.00.

Openshaw Job Centre, 52 Cornwall Street, Gorton, Manchester, M11 -  9.00 to 10.00 am.

Rochdale Job Centre, 2 Fleece Street, Rochdale, OL16 1LT -  9.00 to 2.00 pm.

Salford Job Centre, Churchill Way, Paddington Close, Salford, M6 5PL - 9.00 to 10.30 am.

Eccles Job Centre, Sentinel House, Albert st, Eccles, M30 0NA - 10.30 to 12.00 noon.

Stockport Job Centre, Heron House, Wellington Street, Stockport, SK1 3AQ - 10.00 to 12.00 noon.

Wirral Community Branch has created a Thunderclap: click here.  

New Brighton: 10.30 to 2.00 pm - Morrisons, Marine Point, Kings Parade. Click here.

Cumbria: Carlisle Job Centre, Broadacre House, 16 – 20 Lowther Street, Carlisle, CA3 8DA - 10.00 to 1.00 pm

Ellesmere Port: Ellesmere Port Job Centre, Port Arcades (Bus station entrance), E.Port, CH65 0AP - 12.00 to 3.00 pm.

Warrington: Warrington Job Centre, Mersey Street, Warrington, WA1 2BL - 11.00 to 1.00 pm 

Chester: Chester Job Centre, Chantry House, City Road, Chester, CH1 3AQ - 12.00 to 3.00 pm.

Preston: Preston Job Centre, Ringway, Preston - 10.00 to 1.00 pm.

A full list of regional activities is listed on the Unite website.