More than 120 Department for Work and Pensions employees face redundancy as the Lincoln Support Centre closes. Former staff warn the job losses will delay payments to vulnerable Universal Credit recipients, particularly families with children.
The affected workers handle back-of-house operations ensuring child-related Universal Credit elements are processed correctly and on time. Employees offered redeployment face relocations to Nottingham or Sheffield, both over 40 miles away. Many of the lowest-paid civil servants now confront unemployment in an area already struggling with high joblessness.
Ian Fisher, Lincolnshire and Rutland branch chair for DWP, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service at a picket line outside Lincoln City Hall: «Most of us have been here for 20 or 30 years.» He added: «When we found we were going to be made redundant, there was a promise of support, but that's not happened. We've been really let down by the DWP.»
Fisher warned about the consequences for benefit recipients: «Most of these are back-of-house staff who make sure child-related elements of Universal Credit are made correctly and on time. They won't be replaced, and there will be delays for the most vulnerable Universal Credit recipients.» One employee told Birmingham Live: «To be told my work isn't needed is frankly ridiculous. You only have to look at how long it takes claims to get processed to see we aren't overstaffed.»
A DWP spokesperson stated the closure of Lincoln City Hall Service and Support Centre will have no impact on Lincoln Jobcentre, which remains fully operational. The department continues to engage with trade union representatives to support colleagues, with redeployment opportunities wherever possible.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
