Lo says new recruits for Social Security work mean offices must not close
27/01/09
Alliance Assembly Spokesperson for Social Development, Anna Lo MLA, has challenged the Minister Margaret Ritchie to abandon plans to close Social Security Offices, after she was forced to recruit another 150 people to the service.
The South Belfast Assembly member stated: "The Review of Social Security Offices advocates the effective closure of half the offices in
"Any move to close offices and re-deploy frontline staff has nothing to do with efficiency, and everything to do with cuts. The Review takes no account of the objective of having benefits offices which not only ensure people receive money to which they are entitled, but also give them advice to get back into work.
"Far from closing offices, we should ensure they are fully resourced enabling them to act as one-stop-shops not just for those with benefits queries, but also to assist people with training and finding new employment. The rising unemployment figures, particularly newly unemployed, mean that careers advice must be central to the service - a service enhanced, not cut back."
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