LORD Freud, the minister for welfare reform, visited Warrington’s Jobcentre Plus today (Friday) to discuss local progress towards implementing these significant benefit changes in the town.
The borough has been chosen as a pathfinder authority for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). This means that “Universal Credit” will be piloted here in a few weeks time before going live across the country at a later date.
Lord Freud met members of the local partnership group who have been working together for the last year or so to ensure that the most vulnerable members of the community understand the changes and are protected wherever possible.
Partners in the “Warrington Welfare Reform Action Partnership” include Warrington Borough Council, Jobcentre Plus, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Warrington Disability Partnership.
Katherine Fairclough, chairman of the local reform partnership said: “These changes are huge and all partners have been working hard to translate complex national policies and messages for the benefit of our residents. We do recognise that times are tough for many families and individuals and are also doing all we can to ensure we signpost to local sources of advice and support.”
Anyone worried about the changes to their benefit should visit www.gov.uk to find out more.
The Citizens Advice Bureau are also on hand to help. The local branch is based in The Gateway, Sankey Street, 01925 246994.
