Anger over Benefits Axe

10.21.24am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 5th Jun 2003

Local pensioners may suffer due to cut in support staff.

Pensioners and vulnerable groups have been dealt a blow following Executive plans to axe three key benefit staff.

The Executive were presented with plans which would see staff who are currently responsible for benefit promotion and elderly support axed as part of a cost cutting exercise. Liberal Democrats on the council have reacted angrily to the plans claiming it will lead to local pensioners and vulnerable groups missing out on millions of pounds worth of funds that their work brings to the borough.

Speaking after the meeting Lib Dem Group Leader Michael Headley commented:

"It makes absolutely no sense to cut these staff. These are the people who provide support to the elderly and most disadvantaged groups to make sure they get all the financial help they are entitled to. Last year alone they were responsible for tracking down over £1 million of benefits for local people. It doesn't just stop there though, much of the money that was taken up will have been pumped back into the local economy through their spending, benefiting the whole of the borough. The proposal to axe these positions means the council will no longer be able to provide this service, this will hit local pensioners hard."

He added:

"It's amazing that tens of thousands of pounds can be found to pay for office moves but when it comes to a vital service like this the money disappears. This just shows how the Mayor and his allies consider those less fortunate than themselves."