PCS responds to "punitive" Autumn Statement

Responding to today’s Autumn Statement, Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Whilst the Chancellor is attempting to win headlines with pre-election tax bribes, we mustn’t forget the punitive consequences of his Autumn Statement will fall heavily on some of the most vulnerable members of society.

“They’ll also fall on the shoulders of our members working at the DWP who will be expected to implement the further ramping up of the sanctions regime, forcing people with ill health and disabilities to undertake work placements.

“Sanctions don’t work. The government needs to concentrate on providing a service that genuinely supports benefits claimants rather than punishing them whilst making the working lives of DWP staff intolerable.”

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