REDUCTION IN STAFFING LEVELS AT DSS OFFICES

That this House applauds the stand taken by Department of Social Security staff, who are members of CPSA and NUCPS, employed at Tavistock House, Bloomsbury, and at 10 other Department of Social Security offices, against management attempts to further reduce staffing levels; notes that Department of Social Security staff in Bloomsbury and elsewhere deal with hostel and homeless families in hotels, and people of no fixed abode, who rely on regular payments just to survive; believes further staff reductions will adversely affect those least able to care for themselves; and calls on the Secretary of State to instruct management to desist from its action and join with the trades unions in meaningful discussions to resolve these disputes.