Agenda for KUWG Public Meeting Against Jobcentre Closures,
Tuesday 24/10/17 6.30pm-8.30pm Kingsgate Community Centre, 107 Kingsgate Road, NW6 2JH
6:15pm: Room set up and grabbing a seat!
6:30pm-to-8:15pm: Meeting
8:15pm-8:30pm: Room clearance
Chairperson: A KUWG member who uses Neasden Jobcentre
Speakers
- Giselle as KUWG and Chair of Unite Community Brent, with the aid of a big map, highlighting how people especially with walking problems will be seriously affected, and thus more easily sanctioned
- John Kilvington from Somali Cultural Centre, on the absurd cases he has had and how it obviously will make
people with language and cultural issues prone to misunderstand and
get sanctioned.
- Winvisible [Women with Visible and Invisible Disabitlities] to confirm our
experiences and offer their campaigning skills.
- Pete
Firmin as Chair of Brent Trades Council will speak about how workers
could be affected, and mention how other closures of public buildings
impact the community.
- Tulip
Siddiq MP has sent message of support.
- MP Dawn Butler has been asked
to come or send message of support.
- Siân Berry Green Party Member of the London Assembly
has sent her apologies.
- Brent Green Party member Peter Murry will speak from a Green Party Trade Union Group perspective
- Green Party Member Alan Wheatley has sent KWUG placards as room decorations, while he cannot attend in person
- Councillor Shama Tatler (Brent Council) who wrote to DWP about
proposed closures has been requested to attend.
- PCS [jobcentre workers union] speakers invited, but no response.
PS: WinVisible add:
Tues 24 Oct - WinVisible speaking at KUWG meeting vs Jobcentre closures
Tues 24 October 2017, 6.30-8.30pm
Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group (KUWG) have
invited us to speak at their:
Public meeting on the proposed Jobcentre
closures of Kilburn & Neasden JCPs
the impact on claimants and what we can do
at Big Hall, KINGSGATE COMMUNITY CENTRE,
107 KINGSGATE ROAD, NW6 2JH
(wheelchair accessible)
Speakers include: Giselle Winston (“Benefit
Tales” blogger, KUWG member); John Kilvington, welfare rights worker at
Camden Somali Cultural Centre.
We’ll be speaking about how the closures will
affect people, and what we’ve been doing,
including pressing the exemptions from ESA/PIP exams, and about the latest
benefit concessions won by public pressure.
(See our blog for self-help info, search “exemption”.)
In March, we attended the PCS (DWP staff union) meeting in Parliament
against Jobcentre closures.
Come along if you can!
Tuesday 24 October update: Cllr Sham Tatler writes:
Thank you for your email.
Unfortunately I cannot attend due to a prior engagement.
I
too share your concerns over the closures and the impact they will have
on vulnerable residents, particularly as they are in areas in most
need.
I
had written to the previous minister, and am currently engaging with
the DWP over the closures. I have asked to see their equality impact
assessment as I am not certain they have taken into account the
difficulties our residents will face. I have told them, that we do not
understand the rationale for the decisions and am seeking assurances on
making sure our residents are protected and not under-served.
I will be continuing to raise the issue and happy to engage with you.
Kind regards
Cllr Shama Tatler
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Growth, Employment and Skills
Labour Councillor fo Fryent Ward
London Borough of Brent
