there are 2 numbers the people of Liverpool have to use if they need to speak to someone at budgeting loans.801 8000,for Bellevale and 801 8200 for the rest.I asked people waiting in the CAB if they had got through.None had.I spent all day Monday ringing 801 8200.It was engaged.Then it rang once for a full 9 minutes.Then it went straight to engaged,like someone had lifted it off the hook,disconnected and left it off the hook.I spoke to someone at Edgehill who told me they used to work at High Park st,thats the 801 8200 number.He said it's very busy there and they were supposed to get more lines 2 years ago..With the post strike on it is something you may think has caused this problem.But it's nothing to do with it.It has been like this for more than 2 years now.
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The local CAB will have a direct number...
11.10.2007 14:52
The lack of telephone lines is part of the wider process of closures of the Social Security (DWP) offices and welfare system privatisation. Effectively large sections of the welfare benefits system are going to be handed over to the private sector, even charities (including to housing associations/companies/trusts etc possibly?) to administer at arms length from government with zero accountability to 'us' the public. The fact is that you often have to apply for benefits over the phone, even Job Seekers Allowance claimants go to the Job Centre Plus (plus grief and harassment) offices and then phone from there to sign on fortnightly. This is part of a 'call centre' strategy methodology, possibly outsourced to India later on, to move public services administration away from the public.
The PCS union leadership like with the CWU leadership are a sell out to the Labour party/government, meaning they've tolerated job losses, centre and office closures without a murmur, while still paying millions to the party and government who's privatising their jobs and our services.
Kai Andersen