JOBSEEKERS ALLOWANCE RULES RISK PENALISING PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS - MOORE

11.37.36am GMT Mon 23rd Feb 2009

Local MP Michael Moore has voiced concern over the rules governing the payment of Jobseekers Allowance which he believes may risk penalising people who live in rural areas such as the Borders.

The rules governing Jobseekers Allowance mean that individuals have to travel to their local Jobcentre Plus office to sign on and receive the allowance without receiving any recompense for the travel costs incurred. Although Jobseekers Allowance is paid every two weeks, in the initial application stages new claimants usually have to make more than one visit to the Jobcentre Plus office, meaning that a significant proportion of their benefit in the early weeks can already be taken up in covering these travel costs.

Mr Moore is particularly concerned that these rules will penalise his constituents who live in more remote parts of the Borders and is taking up the issue with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

He said:

"With growing levels of unemployment in the Borders in recent months, it is more important than ever that people are given easy access to benefits to help them through the difficult times that come with losing a job.

"Due to the rural nature of our region, some unemployed people are having to travel significant distances to get to their nearest Jobcentre Plus offices. The costs incurred in getting to the benefit offices from some of the more remote places in the Borders can form a substantial part of the benefit itself. It is clearly wrong to penalise people in this way and I hope that the Minister will agree to look into this problem."