Conor McGinn MP Member of Parliament for St Helens North
I visited Jobcentre Plus in St Helens town to look at the support available to constituents in St Helens North.
I voiced the many concerns that constituents have raised with me on the Universal Credit roll-out – worries about the assessment period and 28-day wage cycles, delays in payments for childcare and the identification required to set up the claims.
Despite my strong opposition to this Tory Government’s policies on welfare, I was pleased to meet some of the staff – the vast majority of whom are from our community – working in the Job Centre, and thanked them for their efforts at a really tough time.
I could see that locally in St Helens a whole person approach to supporting people is being implemented and I was particularly impressed by the Health Hub which links people with health conditions with community support organisations to help them fulfil their potential – including a mental health nurse with a remit to support the vulnerably housed.
While recognising this support and the dedication of local staff, I am very clear that the Tory Government’s policies are wrong. I am currently working with hundreds of constituents to challenge these unfair cuts that cause daily misery in St Helens North and across the country and remain committed to working for the reversal of changes to Personal Independence Payments and cuts to Employment and Support Allowances.