A-Infos (en) Britain, Edinburgh Anarchist Federation -- Protest Sanctions Targets at Leith Job Centre

This week’s short-notice-hey-demo post features this call-out for action against Leith Job 
Centre’s move to “Sanctions Targets” ---- Thursday, 10am at the bottom of Great Junction 
Street. Press release below: DEMONSTRATORS DENOUNCE “SANCTIONS TARGETS” AT LEITH JOB 
CENTRE ---- Claimants and anti cuts campaigners are set to demonstrate at Leith Job Centre 
on Thursday 11th July in a protest against “sanctions targets” set by a Job Centre 
manager. ---- “A new manager at Leith Jobcentre has told staff that 30% of claimants are 
not meeting the conditions for receiving benefits – the clear implication is that these 
claimants should be sanctioned, that is have their benefits stopped.  In reality this is a 
return to the supposedly outlawed practice of setting sanctions targets, and is totally 
unfair and unjust,” said Ethel MacDonald of Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty.


The demonstration is part of the Boycott Workfare Week of  Action against the government’s 
controversial “work-for-your-benefits” schemes and is in opposition to the whole 
government austerity programme.

“People are really suffering because of sanctions.  Right now we are opposing sanctions 
imposed on a disabled claimant who is having to live on £26.05p per week because he was 
too ill to go to an appointment with the Ingeus workfare provider.  What’s more, most 
claimants who are sanctioned have their money stopped completely, for from one month to 
three years.”

The protestors state that they will challenge sanctions, and issue a call to direct 
action.  “You have the right to challenge sanctions. Ask for the decision to be reviewed 
and appeal against it. If need be, we can alert our Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty 
solidarity network to have a peaceful demo INSIDE the Job Centre. “

The demonstrators point to a government press release stating that they have set up “hit 
squads” in all Job Centres to presurise claimants returning from workfare providers.  “The 
government have openly declared war on the unemployed”, say ECAP.  “We know that in Leith 
Job Centre they have set up such a “hit squad” and some officials are misinforming 
claimants that they have to allow the DWP to monitor their online job search.  This is a 
lie and we urge claimants to stand up for their right to protect their privacy.”

Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty have also been leafleting the Leith Job Centre 
workers, appealing for workers to join claimants in opposing cuts, sanctions and workfare. 
 “Some Job Centre workers are themselves facing unemployment, as now they only get 
temporary contracts, and could easily find themselves on the other side of the counter,” 
explained Ethel MacDonald.

“If we are not to be condemned to years of austerity we need to take a stand,” said Ethel 
MacDonald of ECAP.   “Enough is enough!  Why should the vast majority suffer because of 
the greed of a minority of speculators, bankers  and super-rich, and the chaotic nature of 
their profit-driven system?  It’s time for action to assert that people’s needs must be 
the priority, not money.  We can’t rely on any of the political parties, we must organise 
at the grass-roots, through people power.”

The protest is from 10am till 12 noon on Thursday 11th at the Commercial Street Job 
Centre, Leith.

Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty ecap@lists.riseup.net 
www.edinburghagainstpoverty.org.uk  Greater Leith Against the Cuts 
www.edinburghagainstcuts.org.uk
Boycott Workfare www.boycottworkfare.org
Government press release announcing Job Centre “hit squads” and detailing sanctions
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-details-of-post-work-programme-support
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