Jobcentre workers set to strike over pay and conditions

Thousands of staff at Jobcentres across the UK will go on strike today in a long-running row over "oppressive working conditions and unrealistic targets".

More than 6,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services union in 32 call centres in England, Scotland and Wales will reignite industrial action first taken last year. They claim that "draconian" conditions are preventing them from providing a decent service.

The union claims Jobcentre bosses were only interested in getting claimants off the phone rather than dealing with their inquiries properly.