DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.

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APRIL 2008

dwpeople
A brighter future
DWP tackles child
poverty

Leading lights
Sustainability Awards
winners

Do they mean us?

How DWP inspires
popular culture

“ It started to
rain and we
realised it
was going to “
be serious
Business Continuity
teams show how to
cope in a crisis

Your DWP staff magazine

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Sunlight through the trees at Chadkirk Woods

by Jill Mather, The Pension Service, Stockport
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Contents

News in Brief We can work it out

04 News from across

the Department 16 LEP scheme helps
customers and employers

A brighter future

06 New services to tackle

child poverty
18
Business continuity
How DWP keeps going
in a crisis

Reaching for the stars

08 Developing staff potential

through the Reach scheme
20
Team of the month
The Customer Service
Delivery team from Essex
claim this month’s title
Steps on the Journey

09 Latest news from the

DWP Change Programme Letters

Leading lights show 22 Your views on everything

from the Marathon to the
Manic Street Preachers

10 the way
DWP staff show their
winning ways
Busted!
Civil Service Live 24 Two more fraudsters

12 Celebrating innovation
in the public sector
are caught in the act

Quiztime

13
Summer School
DWPeople speaks
to the class of 2007
26 Win a £15 voucher
with our crossword

Our business in Cover shots

14 show business
DWP’s celebrity credentials 27 More great snaps from
DWPeople’s competition

DWPeople – Whilst every effort is made to ensure the reliability of advertisers, DWP cannot accept any liability. The acceptance of advertisements does not
imply recommendation by DWP. The advertising for DWPeople is managed by Landmark Publishing Services, 2 Windmill Street, London W1T 2HX. Tel: 020
7692 9292. All locations in DWP should receive enough copies of DWPeople to share around.
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd
News in Brief
Launch of the Commission
for Employment and Skills
ON 1 April a commission which
puts employers at the centre of
employment and skills policy
development began work.
The Commission for Employment
and Skills will provide direct and
independent advice to Ministers on
issues such as the job skills employers
need for economic success, how UK
employers can use skills to become
more competitive and whether
statutory entitlement to training
is appropriate. It will work towards
the vision of achieving an 80 per
cent employment rate for those
eligible for work by 2020.
Awards success for DWP
internal communications
INTERNAL communications teams
across DWP have been shortlisted
for this year’s CiB (Communicators
in Business) Awards.
DWPeople and plus magazine both
received ‘Awards of Excellence’ from
the judges and are among four finalists
competing for the prize of 2008 best
internal magazine.
The awards will be presented by the
BBC’s Huw Edwards at the CiB Awards
dinner on 23 May at the Hilton
Metropole in Brighton.
Winner of January’s
DWPeople competition
CONGRATULATIONS to Claire
Murray who works at the Child
Support Agency in Falkirk.
Claire won a seven-night holiday
for two at the Hotel Paradise Park
in Los Cristianos, Tenerife.
4 | dwpeople | April 2008
01/05/2008 14:12
Nothing’s gonna stop us now
THE TEAM at Worksop
Jobcentre Plus is dedicated
to providing an excellent
service to their customers.
And when the team’s
dedication was put to the test
with severe weather damage
restricting their ability to
maintain this service – they
passed with flying colours.
After a stormy night in March,
the Jobcentre Plus office was
damaged with fallen debris from
the roof and the glass atrium
making the entrance unsafe.
Although the Jobcentre entrance
was completely blocked, the dedicated
team refused to close the office
completely and instead dug out
their contingency plan and decided
what to do next.
Customer service operations manager,
James Busher said: “The team worked
brilliantly together to formulate a plan
to remain open.
“They opened two side entrances
to the office, put in place extra
Government Gateway team joins DWP
THE TEAM that helps the public
to access online government
services has become part of DWP.
The e-Delivery Team (eDT) is responsible
for the Government Gateway. Users
register once and can then access 150
government e-services, from using the
State Pension forecasting service to
returning a Self-Assessment tax form.
The team transfers from the Cabinet
Office and the move follows hot on
the heels of Directgov, who also
became part of DWP this month.
The two new teams are part of DWP’s
growing role in helping the public to
access government e-services.
Page 4
Some of the Worksop Jobcentre Plus team
customer service officers, cordoned
off all the damaged or unsafe areas,
rang customers to rearrange a huge
number of appointments and
put plans in place for enquiries
and payments.
“When I visited the office a few days
later it was very clear to me that this
team has gone the extra mile to
deliver a ‘business as usual’ service
to our customers.”
 Find out more about Business
Continuity on pages 18-19.
Transformational Government
director Kenny Robertson says: “This
is an important strategic step in
bringing together vital IT resources,
which will enable joined-up services
for our customers.”
eDT director Chris Haynes says:
“I am delighted that eDT is joining
DWP – the combination of skills and
passion is a great mix.
“The team hope to make the most
of the Department’s strong record
of delivering services and to make
Government Gateway the
automatic choice for identifying
and verifying users.”
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd
Launch of the Pension, Disability and Carers Service
Chief executive Terry Moran
DWP colleagues raise funds in memory
of former workmate
A CANCER charity is now £3,250
better off – thanks to the efforts of
big-hearted DWP staff. The Health
and Social Security Recreational
Association (HASSRA) Herefordshire
raised the cash by organising a range
of events including a sky dive, treasure
hunts, cake sales and a 70s disco.
But the charity drive was bittersweet,
as colleagues were raising money in
memory of former workmate Dave
Gilbert. Dave died in August last year
following a battle with cancer and the
funds will go to the MacMillan Renton
Appeal at Hereford County Hospital.
HASSRA Herefordshire chairman
Gareth Niblett said: “Fundraising is
a big part of our activities and it was
even more poignant this year to be
raising funds for a charity that helped
one of our colleagues.”
Do you have any news for inclusion
in DWPeople? Email your story
dwpeople@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
01/05/2008
APRIL marked an exciting chapter in
DWP’s history, with the official launch
of a new agency.
The Pension, Disability and Carers
Service formally started business on
1 April. Both The Pension Service
and the Disability and Carers Service
will continue to operate under their
existing brands and from their existing
locations with no immediate change
visible to customers.
But over time the new agency will
provide a more joined-up service
to customers.
Permanent Secretary Leigh Lewis says:
“Both The Pension Service and the
Cheque-mates: Cheryl Collins and Gareth
Niblett from HASSRA presenting the funds
to Helen Cotterell (right)
MacMillan fundraising officer Helen
Cotterell added: “The support of
HASSRA and in particular Gareth
Niblett has been wonderful. They
have made a significant contribution
towards the MacMillan Renton
Appeal and have helped us reach
our target of £1.5 million.”
14:13 Page 5
News in Brief
Disability and Carers Service have
a great deal to be proud of. But
together they will undoubtedly
become more than simply the sum
of their parts.
“I would like to wish everyone working
in the new agency every success as
they take forward its work.”
Terry Moran, who formerly headed
up both The Pension Service and
the Disability and Carers Service,
has been named as chief executive
of the new agency.
His welcome letter is available on the
intranet at http://intralink/1/pdcs/
about/dwp_t376526.asp
Blooming lovely
April’s front
cover image
CONGRATULATIONS to
DWPeople’s front cover photo
winner – Susan Georgiou from
Perry Barr Jobcentre Plus.
Susan’s photo of a spring-time
daffodil in full bloom impressed
the DWPeople team with its
beautiful simplicity. It was perfect
for April’s front cover.
DWPeople received lots of great
photos – so thanks to everyone
who sent one in.
April 2008 | dwpeople | 5
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Feature

A brighter future
David Hall looks at how new services from Jobcentre Plus and the Childcare Act
will benefit lone parents and keep DWP on course to eradicate child poverty
FOR LONE parents the opportunity to systems to more accurately record ongoing support to help the parents
get back into work can seem daunting child details and childcare barriers into, and through, their employment.
without crucial childcare support. to work.
Jobcentre Plus has also introduced
From April, changes to the Childcare And dedicated Childcare Partnership childcare discussions with parents at
Act will improve the information and Managers (CPMs) will work more new claims and review interviews.
guidance they need to get into closely with Children’s Centres,
employment. external childcare partners and The childcare discussion will seek to
employers. establish whether there are childcare
Local authorities in England will barriers to work and promote the
work directly with Jobcentres to The CPMs will ensure that the level of benefits of using formal childcare.
offer a joined-up service that includes Jobcentre Plus service being delivered
practical – as well as financial – through Children’s Centres meets the A range of other services are also
job support. needs of families in the area. being introduced from April to help
lone parents find, and stay in,
Jobcentre Plus have enhanced their Jobcentre Plus advisers will offer employment.

Help for parents with childcare needs: http://intralink/jcp/adviser/loneparents/index.asp

6 | dwpeople | April 2008

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GERALDINE Fisher, childcare
partnership manager at Coventry
and Warwickshire District Office,
explains how the new changes
will benefit customers.
“We will be able to work with local
authorities more intensively,” says
Geraldine Fisher,“and sharing
information will help us improve the
support we can offer.”
From April, local authorities will have
a duty to meet the childcare needs
of working parents in their area.
System enhancements will allow the
Department to share information
with local authorities to influence the
supply of local childcare provision.
“Our previous systems didn’t fully
capture childcare barrier to work
information for each child,” explains
Feature
Case study
Geraldine. “Now we can identify
where the gaps are and signpost
our customers to formal childcare
and help them into employment.”
“We already provide information and
support to Children’s Centres. There
is a Jobcentre Plus noticeboard in
every centre and all centres have a
named adviser.
“Our local advisers also work directly
with external partners like the Family
Information Service.
“Stronger links with local authorities
and Children’s Centres are critical to
delivering childcare and job support.”

“
“ Stronger links with local authorities and Children’s Centres
are critical to delivering childcare and job support

New services for lone parents

A national roll-out of In Work Credit (IWC)

will provide financial support for up to a
Other changes in
year to help lone parents make the move poverty:
2008 to help tack
le child
from benefits to work
 New Deal Plus
for Lone Parents
extended to the w Pilots will be
Guaranteed job interviews, where possible, hole London regi
offer key elemen on and
ts of the package
for those ready to move into work couple parents as to eligible
well as to lone pa
 All lone parent rents.
s and parent partn
Jobseeker’s Allow ers of
ance customers w
In Work adviser support for the first six months more often to give
them the support
ill be seen
with the possibility of financial help advice to get them and
into work.
 The extension
of IWC to couple
New Deal Plus ar parents in
eas outside of Lo
Invitations to ‘Options and Choices’ events  From Novembe ndon.
r, a lone parent w
youngest child is hose
offering support to move into work longer be entitled
aged 12 or over w
ill no
to receive Income
solely on the grou Support
nds that he or sh
lone parent. e is a

April 2008 | dwpeople | 7

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Feature

Reaching
for the
stars
Catherine Chan reports
on Reach, the scheme
that aims to develop
potential in under-
Nazmeen Razaq (left) and Laihan Schofield (right) participated
represented groups in a pilot that has developed into the Reach programme

“IN THE past I was happy to sit back Over a 12-month period, they will be Julie Dyer from DWP’s Organisational
and sulk if decisions didn’t go my way equipped with tools and techniques Capability Centre of Expertise says:
– now I’ve got the confidence to tackle that will allow them to overcome “DWP employs a diverse workforce,
problems. I’ve realised that I’m the one barriers constructively and compete with more than 15,000 staff identifying
who can make a change.” on equal terms for progression themselves as either disabled or from
opportunities in DWP. an ethnic minority. But at senior
Jacqueline Clipston was just one of management level, the number of staff
the staff to benefit from a pilot “The pilot was a real eye-opener from these groups is relatively small.
programme with a difference. The for me,” says Jacqueline, who works
12-month scheme was set up to at Corby Debt Centre. Jacqueline – “Reach has been set up to address this
develop the skills of disabled and who has a painful permanent back issue and the programme will have two
ethnic minority staff at AA to SEO injury following a car crash – is distinct strands to meet the needs of
grade. The aim is to work with staff now exploring more development disabled and ethnic minority staff.”
to help them develop their potential opportunities to give her the career
and to compete on equal terms for she wants.  Staff will be invited to apply for
any promotion opportunities. Reach from 1 May. Look out for
Laihan Schofield, from Bradford Debt more information in Headline
Building on the success of the pilot run Centre, was equally upbeat about News on the DWP intranet
within Shared Services, a new scheme taking part in the pilot. She says: homepage.
called Reach will be launched across “This was a fantastic opportunity
DWP in May. The programme will work to focus on my career. At first I was
with a particular group of staff who a bit apprehensive but, having taken
have all been identified as having the part, I’d definitely recommend the
potential to be future DWP leaders. experience to others.”
DWP offers a wide
More information range of learning and
Reasonable adjustments can be made to make sure a disabled member development opportunities.
of staff is not put at a substantial disadvantage. Find out more at: Find out more at:
http://intralink.link2.gpn.gov.uk/1/corp/sites/hr/nonpolicy/diversityand http://intralink/1/
equality/department/adjustments/DWP_T373163.asp corp/sites/cld/index.asp

Staff who require specialist technology to carry out their work can contact
Accessibility Solutions – available under ‘A’ in the DWP intranet A-Z.

8 | dwpeople | April 2008

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Steps on the Journey
December’s DWPeople
included a supplement
about the DWP Change
Programme. Catherine
Chan catches up with
the team to find out
what progress has been
made so far this year
IMPROVING customer service, helping
the Department become more efficient
and more united – nobody can accuse
the DWP Change Programme of having
small ambitions.
Director of Change Management
Stephen Holt says: “The DWP Change
Programme is made up of many
projects but they all aim to make
things better for our customers and
staff. DWP Journey – Creating our
future gave a snapshot of our
achievements so far, our current
projects and our plans for the future.”
Since DWP Journey’s publication,
a real success story has been the
DWP Signposting Directory. This was
designed to help frontline staff direct
customers to the right person quickly
no matter where they access the
Department. Since going live on the
intranet at the end of 2007, the
Directory has been accessed tens of
thousands of times and has received
overwhelmingly positive feedback
from staff. Staff can even find Welsh
language telephone numbers for DWP,
other government departments and
third parties via a simple W icon.
From 31 March, there were new
entries included in the main directory
as well as a page of extra numbers
( X ) which effectively doubles the
information available. Additional
enhancements will include access to
regional-based numbers and opening
01/05/2008 14:13
times – but the directory will retain its
easy-to-understand layout.
The Signposting Directory is part of
a wider move to help customers who
contact us.
This includes introducing a ‘consistent
greeting’ in DWP contact centres, and
was earlier reported in DWP Journey.
From April, all customers who phone
DWP contact centres will hear the
same automated message. Customers
will hear the same voice whichever
contact centre they’ve called, and the
same music if they need to wait for
their call to be answered. This all helps
to identify us as one Department.
A key part of the Change Programme
is using Lean techniques to improve
services.
Notably, The Pension Service launched
its first Lean initiative at Stockport
Pension Centre. The Business Care
Unit is using Lean principles to review
the process of receiving, processing
and managing the post that comes
into the centre.
Lean isn’t just about frontline delivery
staff however. The corporate centre is
not missing out either – the Work,
Page 9
Feature
Materials from the
DWP Journey – Creating
our future campaign
Welfare and Equality Group’s housing
costs business stream is running a
Lean project to look at the way it
handles Housing Benefit and Council
Tax enquiries.
Speaking at the launch of the project,
divisional manager Paul Howarth said:
“It is an excellent way of helping
people to learn new skills and new
ways of working. This should help
us work in the most efficient ways.”
A key part of Lean is creating the right
environment for everyone to think and
behave in a ‘Lean’ way. Jobcentre Plus’s
London Senior Management Team
have recently started this process when
they took part in a four-day event
designed to familiarise them with Lean
tools, techniques and to explain the
principles of being a Lean leader.
For more on the DWP Change
Programme, visit: http://intralink/1/
corp/sites/changeprogramme/index.asp
DWP Journey materials are online at:
http://intralink/home/url/journey.asp
April 2008 | dwpeople | 9
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Feature

LE DING LIGHTS
SHOW THE W Y
Hats off to the four members of staff that have won Sustainability
in the Department Awards!
PAM Baines, Ian Karpinski, Steven Jones and Vicki
A lot of bottle: Vicki recycles just
Pidgeon have all made outstanding contributions
about everything
to sustainable development in their regions.

Veronica O’Connell from the DWP Sustainable

Development team said: “The winners have
shown what a difference individual actions can
make, and their example has encouraged others
to take responsibility. They are leading lights for
sustainable development in the Department.”

Lord McKenzie – the Minister who leads on

Sustainable Development in DWP – presented the
winners with certificates and paperweights carved
from sustainable wood. The ceremony took place
during the DWP ‘Empower Yourself’ conference
at the Think Tank Birmingham Science Museum.

They will also have commemorative trees

planted by the Woodland Trust, allowing their
achievements to be recognised for centuries!

Vicki Pidgeon
Business Unit: North-East Yorkshire and
the Humber District Performance Team
Location: Hull
LAST year Vicki set up a Sustainable
Development Group for 20 Jobcentres
in the local area. The venture has
raised awareness of environmental
issues and cost-cutting.
Vicki regularly attends senior
management meetings to promote
the group’s activities and ensure
that management is kept aware of
sustainable development initiatives.
Her ideas include arranging recycling
collections, car sharing, duplex printing people do so many sustainable things
and using recycled materials. like recycling waste and switching off
lights, so it seemed only right for them
Vicki and three other colleagues have to continue in the workplace.”
taken the initiative by checking office
areas and switching off any computer
monitors or lights, to save energy.
Vicki enthused: “I never thought I’d
get an award for this. Initially, I just
thought that something should be
done in my office and my manager
told me to ‘go for it’.
“The response to my campaigns has
been really positive. In their homes,

10 | dwpeople | April 2008

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Feature

Ian Karpinski
Business Unit: CIS Frontline Services up-to-date with recycling and energy-
Location: Newcastle saving issues in a regular newsletter.

IAN is the vital link between some of
the UK’s biggest charities – notably
the Woodland Trust, Vision Aid
Overseas and the World Wildlife
Foundation – and his work area’s
recyclable donations.
Indeed, Ian doesn’t like to see
anything go to waste and gratefully
accepts anything from mobile phones
to spectacles.
He keeps his Newcastle Estate team
Ian also promotes charities that
desperately need donations such as
the splendidly titled Re-cyke-y-bike.
The organisation specialises in
restoring bikes and providing
roadworthy transport for particular
groups such as people with mental
health issues and the long-term Born tree: Ian swore he’d only left the
unemployed. coffee cups there for a fortnight
Ian said: “I’m delighted to get this Department’s environmental efforts
award. I have always been involved have really improved over the last
in recycling and believe the few years.”

Business Unit: Jobcentre Plus effective practices. It’s fair to say

Pam Baines
Bin there, done that: Pam with three
days worth of recyclables
Location: Fleetwood
WHEN Pam was concerned about
a lack of sustainability actions in
her office last year she decided to
do something about it. During a
communications meeting she delivered
a presentation on sustainable
development and gave her colleagues
sustainable development starter packs.
Pam has formed a team that takes
charge of recycling tins, plastic and
glass. As well as producing an
informative newsletter she has started
another group which has members
across six coastal Jobcentres. They meet
to discuss ideas and share the most
Pam has started something of a
seaside revolution!
Pam said: “There wasn’t a huge
amount going on here and I really
wanted to communicate to our
team how important sustainable
development is.
“Once people realise the possibilities
they are generally really enthusiastic.
In the Department we need to aim for
consistency, but we’re getting there.“
Reflecting on the award, she said:
“I’m really chuffed! Getting recognition
raises the profile of our efforts and
will get more people involved.”

Steven Jones
Business Unit: Management Support produces an article in the unit’s
at Disability and Carers Service newsletter and maintains a noticeboard
Location: Manchester for news on sustainable development.

STEVE is a member of his business unit’s During an office reorganisation he

sustainable development network and
has been instrumental in promoting
green issues in his area. He has
surveyed his colleagues’ travel habits
and promoted car-sharing.
At a recent learning and development
event he set up stands providing
energy-saving information, free low-
energy light bulbs and water saving
devices known as ‘hippos’. He also
set up a ‘shop’ that people could
visit to see if they could make use
of, or recycle any unwanted items.
Steven said: “I feel very privileged
to get the award. When I took on
the sustainable development role
in 2006, I really wanted to raise
Board monitor: Steven provides a
the profile of these vitally important
wealth of information for staff
issues, so to get recognition is
really rewarding.”
April 2008 | dwpeople | 11
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Feature
Live and kicking
Civil Service with a smile as event brings in the crowds
MORE THAN 6,000 people gathered
at the Queen Elizabeth II conference
centre, in London, for Civil Service Live.
Held over three days it was the first
ever event dedicated to the Civil
Service.
The theme of the event was innovation
and provided a chance for government
departments to show new, cutting
edge services.
It also gave staff the opportunity to
show what they’ve been doing to
improve how they work.
Several informative workshops
were also held throughout the
building. Contributions included
Developing Deliverable Policy from
the National School of Government
and Reliable Product Delivery from
Criminal Justice IT.
There were also a range of speeches
700 people from across DWP
attended the event. Here’s what
some of them thought:
Liz Crowther from Jobcentre Plus in
London, said: “Events like this are
really improving. The Civil Service is
becoming a modern organisation
and welcoming change. Sharing
innovation really seems to inspire
people. I think even the traditionalists
are prepared to be convinced.”
12 | dwpeople | April 2008
01/05/2008 14:14
about winning formulas, from such
visionaries as Matt Dawson - the Rugby
World Cup winner – and, indeed, the
Prime Minister.
The Department was represented by
The Solutions Centre and the DWP
Accessibility Solutions team (supported
by EDS and BT).
The Accessibility Solutions team’s
display included all manner of
equipment designed to help our
disabled members of staff to carry out
their jobs. There are over 600 people in
the Civil Service using the technology.
Accessibility Solutions Leader Jenny
Van Tinteren said: “We want to
promote what the Department is
doing to comply with the Disability
Discrimination Act that it created.”
Meanwhile the Solutions Centre team,
led by Jo Donaldson, were there to
discuss how innovation and ideas have
Karen Loughridge, from the Learning
and Development team in Leeds
enthused: “It was very interesting.
Gordon Brown’s speech set the scene
around the skills challenges, capability
and personal responsibility, which was
really inspiring. It was also good to
network with people who have
similar issues across government.”
Page 12
transformed some of the processes
within the Department.
Jo said: “This event is an effective way
of connecting with people and
inspiring each other with ideas.
“We work with staff and encourage
them to respond to challenges. Seeing
their passion and energy is very
rewarding,” she enthused.
The team even had a visit from head of
the home Civil Service, Gus O’Donnell.
Civil Service Live also featured speeches
from Permanent Secretary Leigh Lewis
and Jobcentre Plus Chief Executive
Lesley Strathie.
There was also the Lion’s Lair – with
similarities to a certain television
programme – in which people with big
ideas were put through their paces by
the likes of businessman Peter Jones.
Don’t miss a review of our candidates
next month.
Communications manager at the
Disability Benefits Centre in
Birmingham, Vicky Doherty, said: “I
picked up vital information from
organisations such as Serco (private
sector) and The Pension Service,
which I will use while studying for my
degree and, ultimately, that will help
my performance in the workplace.”
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd
Top of the class
SCHOOL days are supposed to be the
best time of your life and while DWP
can’t turn back time, it has developed a
way of helping staff to carry on learning.
Set up in 1955, DWP’s Summer School
has firmly established itself as a major
learning and development opportunity
for staff (grades AA/Band A and HEO/
Band D). Its success means Summer
School will be running for two weeks
in 2008 from 7 to 11 July and from
8 to 12 September.
Here’s the school report from two people
who took part last year:
For more information about DWP
Summer School visit: http://intralink/
1/corp/sites/cld/my-development/
summer-school/index.asp
John stapleton, child support agency, plymouth
John (second left) with the winning team
01/05/2008 14:14
Kristy Harrop, Disability and Carers Service, Blackpool
“I WOULD highly recommend
Summer School but only to those
who are prepared to work hard to
achieve results. I’m not going to
pretend that it’s all fun and games –
there’s a lot of hard work involved.
“I applied for Summer School
because I’d heard about the
Change Programme but my
knowledge was rather vague. I
had also been told by people that
had participated in the past that it’s
a life-changing experience.
“Professionally, it was a great
development and networking
“I APPLIED for Summer School
after seeing an article on the DWP
intranet. It seemed like a chance to
get involved in the bigger picture
and hopefully learn more about
what makes the Department tick.
“It was particularly amazing for
me to visit Kings College,
Cambridge, because I had
never been to university.
Page 13
Feature
Summer School will
be opening its doors
again later this year.
Catherine Chan speaks
to two staff from the
class of 2007
opportunity. For me, Terry Moran
(chief executive of the Pension,
Disability and Carers Service) was
very inspirational and I went on to
job shadow him in February.
“I also gained personally. I am now
much more independent and not
afraid to speak up for myself.
“The feedback and expertise from last
year’s Summer School will be used to
help shape the Department’s future.
Think how much of an achievement it
would be if you suggested something
that helps your colleagues and our
customers’ lives.”
“Our group was given the task of
looking at the Lean process and how
it could be positive for DWP. We
presented our findings to the whole
of Summer School and were voted
the best. That was the icing on the
cake at the end an amazing week!
“It’s difficult to quantify what I got
out of taking part. The main point for
me is that you are a valued as a person
and for your contributions. Your grade
doesn’t matter one iota – just what
you bring to the table.”
April 2008 | dwpeople | 13
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd 01/05/2008 14:14 Page 14

Feature


Our Business in
SHOW BUSINESS

The Department’s activities have been an
inspiration for popular culture over the years.
John Pinching looks at how the Department has
been represented or, indeed, misrepresented for
dramatic, comic or poetic effect

UB40
THE Birmingham-based reggae group formed, quite literally, on the dole
queue. Emerging from the recession-hit late 1970s the eight members
combined their ‘job hunting’ with learning to play instruments. The
band is named after the form they had to fill in to claim their benefits,
and it even appeared as the cover art on their first album – the ironically
titled Signing Off. Since then they have scored 40 hits in the UK,
including three number ones.

Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em

AT ONCE amusing and unsettling. Only the 1970s could have
addressed learning difficulties in such a way. The unsympathetic
title was merely a hint to the chaos that would ensue every time
the central character, Frank Spencer, walked into a room.
Several episodes were devoted to his complete inability to
secure and maintain gainful employment. Occupational mishaps
included destroying a computer, causing the food dispenser in a
canteen to malfunction and reversing a removal van over
priceless artefacts. With his unmistakable mackintosh, tank-top
and beret combination, and peculiar voice, Frank became one
of the most iconic characters of the decade.

Did you
IF YOU look up angry in the dictionary you
may well find a picture of Yosser Hughes – know?
Boys the anti-hero of Alan Bleasdale’s bleak drama
about the demise of working-class Britain in Dole is a derivative of
From the the eighties. Yosser reacted against his
unemployed status by shouting and, if the
the word doling. It
refers to the state
occasion warranted it, resorting to violence. ‘doling’ out funds to
Blackstuff It was a brave attempt to show how
Thatcherism was damaging the country.
the unemployed.

14 | dwpeople | April 2008

DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd 01/05/2008 14:14 Page 15

THE 1986 film Withnail and I made very little

impact at the box office when it was first
released. Since resurfacing a few years later,
however, it has become one of the most
quotable British films of all time, especially
among its cult following. The movie’s two
central characters are ‘resting’ actors whose
lives have descended into chaos, fear and
poverty. In an attempt to escape they embark
on an ill-advised trip to the country. The
dialogue is punctuated with references to life
on the dole. Notably when the eponymous
‘I’ tells Uncle Monty that they need “to get
back to London to sign on”. “At a labour
exchange?!” replies a horrified Monty.
Withnail & I ‘I’ explains, “It’s sort of fashionable, actually.
All the actors do it, even Redgrave.”

Steptoe and Son

DISILLUSIONED rag and bone man, Harold, is disgusted to find that
his father – the perennial “dirty old man”, Albert – has been claiming
tax allowances for his deceased wife. A visit from a Revenue official
prompts the pair to take drastic action. The Civil Servant is offered an
alcoholic beverage, which he accepts (gross misrepresentation), before
announcing that Mrs Steptoe is entitled to a pension. A Civil Servant
from the Department turns up to issue a cheque for back payments,
at which point Albert appears in female attire; posing as the
aforementioned spouse. With the old man putting in a convincing
performance it then surfaces that he has been claiming for a non-
existent daughter as well. This time a mortified Harold reluctantly
dons the frock.

Bread Love on the dole

WHILE claiming unemployment benefit Joey Boswell – the eldest of
five young adults still living at home – would rock up to the local
dole office clad in leather and driving a white Jaguar. A single look
was all it took to realise that Martina – his DHSS officer – was not
impressed. He would explain his efforts to find a job and she would
give a world-weary sigh, before unleashing a crippling put-down.
As the series wore on, and indeed, by the sixth, it had become very
wearing, Joey and Martina had built a rapport. It was ultimately
understood that here was a man who could no more face a hard
day’s work than he could move out of the family home.
THIS relentlessly gloomy but extremely important
novel by Walter Greenwood describes the
experiences of a family in Northern England during
the great depression of the 1930s. Despite his best
efforts the central character, Harry, is unable to find
a job and only finds solace in a relationship with a
woman, whom he eventually marries. The decision
only adds to his woe; his family disown him and
poverty remains omnipresent. If it’s cheering up you
need, this is possibly not the book for you!

April 2008 | dwpeople | 15

DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd 01/05/2008 14:14 Page 16

Feature

We can work it out

DWPeople reports on
the scheme that is
helping unemployed
customers and
businesses alike
RETURNING to work can be an
intimidating experience, particularly
for people who have been out of
touch with the world of work for a
long time. It can be equally daunting
for an employer to consider recruiting
someone who doesn’t have recent
work experience. Local Employment Employer Melanie Baker (left) with Joan Skerry from Jobcentre Plus
Partnerships (LEPs) are helping to
smooth the way for both customers
and employers. Melanie Baker (pictured above) is for the job and allows the candidate to
just one of the employers to benefit see whether a job suits them and how
More than 600 firms have now signed from LEPs. She runs Tulip Cleaning it fits in with their obligations such as
up to LEPs including Tesco, Sainsbury’s Services, a laundry and home cleaning picking up children from school.”
and Asda. And while high street names business in Malvern with 35 staff.
were among the first, local and smaller The company were finding it difficult Melanie sees the trials as a key way
companies are also pledging their to recruit the right people. to help Tulip’s new recruits feel
support because LEPs can benefit any comfortable in the workplace. She
business that needs to recruit on a Melanie says: “Jobcentre Plus suggested also speaks highly of the Jobcentre
regular basis. setting up a LEP. The benefit from our Plus staff that helped get her LEP up
point of view is that they select serious and running: “It’s been a real two-way
Overall, Local Employment Partnerships candidates that we interview for work street, a proper partnership to help us
aim to get 250,000 high priority trials. These enable the employer to to fill our vacancies and help people
customers into work by December 2010. assess whether the individual is right back to work.”

What are the benefits of Local Employment Partnerships?

Priority customers have:
 a wider range of opportunities to find work
 pre-employment job-specific training opportunities
 work trials to decide whether the job is right for them
 mentoring and support from employers to help find work.

Employers have:
 a wider range of local candidates with the right attitude and the right potential
 opportunities to develop job-specific training programmes for potential employees
 a main Jobcentre Plus contact who understands their recruitment needs and works to satisfy them
 no bills, no risk, no red tape.

Jobcentre Plus staff:

 work closely with employers to understand what makes their businesses tick and develop tailored packages
of LEP measures
 match the right person with the right job opportunity, for the benefit of both our priority customers and
our employers.
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd 01/05/2008 14:14 Page 17

Feature

Case Study: The employer great number of local people living

RANDSTAD INHOUSE Services is
a recruitment and HR specialist.
Randstad already had a good working
relationship with Jobcentre Plus,
and in the West Midlands their LEP
agreement has quickly started to
pay off. They will now use the LEP
approach nationally to help
unemployed people into work.
Director Lisa Gainsford says: “The LEP
gives us an opportunity to tap into a
in the area where our clients are
based. With the right preparation
these are good recruits who are
likely to stay with us and the
employer they are placed with
for a long time.
Process manager Mark Leet adds:
“Many employers are sceptical
about the long-term unemployed.
From our perspective the work trial
is the critical part. The important
thing is to see how the individual
gets on.”

Case Study: The employeE Michael was given guidance on

An image from the LEP
marketing campaign
MICHAEL, 22, is from Aberdeen.
He has Asperger syndrome, a form
of autism, and finds social situations
difficult. He also has problems with
concentration and self-motivation.
For three years he claimed Jobseeker’s
Allowance and was primarily looking
for a job as a delivery driver. When
the First Bus Group committed to
a LEP, Michael’s adviser encouraged
him to consider work as a bus driver
with First Aberdeen Ltd.
what the firm would be looking
for. He was encouraged to be
open and honest at the interview,
and to raise any issues or concerns
he had. His interviewers were
impressed and he started as a
trainee bus driver in January.
Michael says that First is the
best employer he has ever had.
The buddy system is especially
important, helping him not just
with training but also with tackling
social situations.

Awarding the best

JOBCENTRE Plus has launched the first LEP awards to celebrate the achievements of individuals,
employers and partners.

Six prizes are up for grabs:

 Employer award for best practice in recruitment
 Employer award for best career progression
 Employer award for work-life balance
 Individual award for overcoming barriers to employment
 Individual award for outstanding achievement in training
 Partnership award for best practice in partnership working

Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform Stephen Timms will be chairing the judging panel
and the awards will be presented on 1 July at an event in London.

Find out more about the LEP awards:

www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/Employers/
lep/Awards/index.html

April 2008 | dwpeople | 17

DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd
Feature
Business as usual
DWP is committed to providing excellent customer
service whatever the circumstances
REMEMBER those snowy mornings
when your family gathered around
the radio or television to listen to
the local news bulletin? As a child
you had your fingers firmly crossed,
hoping the presenter would say your
school had been closed. As an adult
you’re praying it’s open – who’s
going to look after the kids while
you’re at work?
When something happens which
changes the usual routine – it is
the plans we have in place and
the way that we respond to them
that determines how well we can
limit the impact and maintain service
to customers.
When an unforeseen event such as
extreme weather or power failure in
a building occurs, DWP is ready with
a comprehensive strategy for dealing
with any disruption.
Business continuity has been put to
the test within DWP over the last few
months with local flooding, fires and
other disruptions affecting staff and
the offices they work in.
When anything happens which
threatens the Department’s ability
to continue its daily work, business
continuity plans are on hand to help
deal with disruption and maintain a
service to customers – while minimising
18 | dwpeople | April 2008
01/05/2008 14:15 Page 18
the impact and potential stress on
staff. But it is vitally important that
staff also know what to do in the
event of an emergency.
DWP took part in Business Continuity
Awareness Week this month to
highlight the need for business
continuity plans to be in place in
all business units and make sure
that everyone knows what to do if
disruption occurs and who to contact.
Departmental Business Continuity
manager Julie Shenton said: “One
of the major events of the year was
the Royal Mail postal dispute. Many
of our customers who receive cheque
payments could have been severely
affected, but we managed to
control the disruption by invoking
the Alternative Distribution Channel
which made sure that customers could
collect their cheques from the nearest
post office.
“Since April 2007 the team have
been actively involved in 26 incidents
including limited access to Caxton
House in London due to a building
nearby collapsing, closure of Dearne
Valley Pension Centre due to flooding
and closure of Jobcentre Plus Grimsby
Contact Centre due to fire and loss
of power. The staff emergency
line has been used on more than
50 occasions.”
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd
A severe case of flooding
Customer planning and risk manager
Bryan Sharp is part of Jobcentre Plus’s
Business Continuity team who were
called to action last year when
Yorkshire and the Humber Region
was hit by severe flooding.
“The rain began on 25 June,” says
Bryan. “In Leeds we had very heavy
rain, but it wasn’t until we saw the
potential flood warnings on the news
that we realised this was going to
be serious.
“It hit home how bad the situation
had become when a colleague left
work early to try and get home, but
had to stay in a hotel with her family
because she couldn’t make it all the
way back to her house.”
As the rain showed no sign of
stopping, the Business Continuity
team, steered by customer service
director, Gill Farnsworth, began
working on contingency plans for
helping staff and customers. Business
Continuity call trees were used to
contact staff who had been affected
immediately and were unable to get
into work. As the situation got worse
the team began planning for what
would happen if the region’s Ulley
Be prepared – simple tips
• Discuss who to contact during a
disruption with your line manager
• Make sure your line manager has
information including your nomina
contact, phone numbers and add
• Understand the role you have to
Team Business Continuity Plan and
with your line manager
• Visit the Business Continuity intr
look at the pages about emergenc
and learning and development
• Make sure you have a DWP staff
01/05/2008
dam burst, forcing a wall of water
onto the M1 and potentially taking
out pylons and disrupting the area’s
electricity supply.
Bryan says: “The team worked
together to assess how we could
make sure that, whatever happened,
we were able to provide a service to
our customers. We also needed to
work out how we would get help to
customers who were unable to get
into our Jobcentres.
“We had daily telekits and received
daily updates from the districts. We
also made sure that senior managers
and ministers were briefed and
provided support through the
evacuation centres that had been set
up to house people who had been
flooded out of their homes.”
Jobcentre Plus staff visited the
evacuation centres to offer advice
about the help that was available
for customers once they returned
to their home.
Bryan says: “Staff at the evacuation
centres were on hand to provide
support to jobseekers and pensioners
and, where necessary, make payments
your contact
ted emergency
ress
play in your
discuss this
anet site and
y, awareness
emergency card
14:15 Page 19
Feature
in cash and advise on crisis loans and
community care grants to replace
damaged goods in their homes.
“Everyone worked well and was
willing to pull together and make
things happen to ensure we were
there for our customers.”
On 2 July the rain finally stopped and
the water began to recede. Lots of
people had been affected but the
situation began to get better.
“The whole event was a major learning
curve for us,” says Bryan. “We didn’t
have enough plans in place to cope
with such a drastic event, but after
the event the team worked with
national Jobcentre Plus Business
Continuity colleagues to develop a
policy which has now been published
on the national business continuity
website and everyone can use.
“Later in the year the South-West was
hit by flooding, but this time we were
able to offer advice and support –
sharing what we’d learned from our
experience with staff nationally.”
In the event of a major disruption,
all staff can access relevant and
up-to-date information by calling
0800 783 6617 or visiting:
www.dwp.gov.uk/emergency
Cut-out and keep this emergency
information card containing these details
DWP staff emergency contacts
Phone: 0800 783 6617
Web: www.dwp.gov.uk/emergency
April 2008 | dwpeople | 19
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd
Achieving the best
TE A M
THE MONTH
Team members (left to right): Heva Vance, Ronke Abass, Vilma Wilson, Debbie Young, Donna Gowler
DWPeople celebrates with a Jobcentre Plus
team of seven who have been crowned
April’s Team of the Month
SINCE joining forces 20 months ago,
the Customer Service Delivery team,
located across Basildon, Brentwood
and Grays in Essex, have gone from
strength to strength – exceeding their
targets and providing a great service
for their customers.
Last year the team achieved the
tough challenge of meeting all of
their targets across all of their sites.
Customer Service Operations Manager,
Sue Murray nominated the team for
DWPeople’s Team of the Month. She
says: “We have all worked hard to make
sure we met our targets and, even more
remarkably, this has all been achieved
during a challenging staffing situation.
20 | dwpeople | April 2008
01/05/2008
OF
“The team always approach their
work in a positive manner,
demonstrating a ‘can do’ attitude
and helping each other out in
difficult and challenging circumstances.
We are supportive of each other,
sharing good practice and resources
across locations to achieve a
consistently strong performance.”
Jobcentre manager Debbie Young
has contributed to the team’s success
by making sure her Jobcentre Plus
office is customer-focused at all
times. She says: “We aim to deliver
the service our customers expect
by making sure we respond to
them promptly in a professional
and courteous manner.
14:15 Page 20
Team
of the
Month
“Our whole team is committed to
providing an excellent service – and
we support each other across the
three offices to make this a reality.”
Making sure performance remains
consistently high across all three
offices is another vital task which
advisory service managers Heva
Vance and Vilma Wilson are on-hand
to make happen.
Heva says: “We regularly work
across the offices to make the best
use of our resources. Recent staff
sicknesses led to staff absence
becoming unexpectedly high.
Vilma and I worked together to
review diaries and help organise
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd 01/05/2008 14:15 Page 21

Achieving the best

ed team with
“We are an experienc
e local
good knowledge of th
e regularly
labour market and w
about our
receive compliments
s.
service from employer
The team:
of a team
“It’s great to be part
so well and Sue Murray, Basildon
where we all get on
the support Abi Onabowu, Basildon
you know you have or
raid to ask for advice Heva Vance, Basildon
needed. I’m never af ill
t because I kn ow so meone in the team w Vilma Wilson, Basildon
suppor Donna Gowler, Brentwood
be there to help.” Ronke Abass, Grays
tre Manager Paula Cox, Grays
Debbie Young, Jobcen Debbie Young, Grays

“We are always willing to share ideas

– a colleague is only a phone call
away to discuss issues and shed
new light on guidance.
s:
he team’s key challenge
“You know that no matter what
T
g at least
o m e ta rget – ensurin
and how bad it is, there is someone • Employer O u tc ncies with
em pl oy er s that place vaca
willing to share tea and cake and 84 per cent of e outcome
bc en tre Plus have a positiv
listen to your moaning!” Jo
aking a
n ta rg et – focusing on m
• Interventi o ing sure
Paula Cox, Advisory Services Manager r cu st om er s, including mak
difference fo arket
of th e te am’s Labour M
that 90 per ce nt d on time,
ok ed and conducte
Interventions
ar e bo required and
te nd ac tio n is taken when
failure to at ted accurately
llow up activ ities are conduc
cover for all critical customer fo
g services
appointments, without affecting rv ic e ta rget – ensurin
• Customer Se across an
overall customer service standards. ly de liver ed to customers
are successf ul
standards.
“At times of stress we occasionally run agreed set of
out together at lunchtime for some
much needed caffeine and cakes!”

Vilma added: “We ensure that all

parts of the team’s work are covered,
helping our advisers to carry on with
their roles, whilst giving customers
an effective service. It’s a win-win
situation, as the business side gets
progressed and customer service is
maintained at all times.
“Each team member is always available
to answer a daft question or share
best practice and I reciprocate
whenever I can. We know that
others are always there to help if we
need it which is priceless.”
Are you the next Team of the Month?
DWPeople wants to hear from those teams that have demonstrated
at least one of the key DWP values:
• Achieving the best
• Respecting people
• Making a difference
• Looking outwards
In no more than 300 words tell us:
• Who is in your team
• What you all do
• Why you should be considered
• Which of the DWP values your team have demonstrated.

Send your entries by email to: dwpeople@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd
Marathon plans
’MAKING tracks’ in the March edition
of DWPeople featured a selection of
people’s Marathon plans.
However it did not include any stories
about people running for the Civil
Service’s own official charities.
I realise that space was limited
and you couldn’t cover everyone,
but as some people’s places in the
Marathon were gained through
a call for runners in Newsreal last
year, I thought I’d write in and tell
you about it, as I think it merits
a mention.
Along with other colleagues, I will be
taking part in the Marathon on behalf
of the Civil Service Lifeboat Fund.
Those of us running for charities
need all the help we can get to
publicise our fundraising websites.
David Lewis
Corporate, Leeds
Laura Turvey, DWPeople, responds:
THANKS for letting us know David.
We did have a huge response – it’s
great that the Marathon is so well
represented by DWP staff.
Hopefully lots of people will get to
read this and find out about what
you’re doing by visiting:
www.justgiving.com/davidlewis6
Healthy teams
I HAVE to say that reading the entries
for the ‘how healthy is your team’
22 | dwpeople | April 2008
01/05/2008 14:15 Page 22
STAR LETTER
Practise what
you preach
I ENJOYED reading about
people in the Department
who are connected to a
famous name.
I'm not a relative, but I did live next door
to two of the Manic Street Preachers for
seven years. for practice – but the acoustics were
not right.
I remember them growing up and
painfully learning to play their I remember them telling me the name
instruments well into the night in the of the band – ‘Manic Street Preachers’
bedroom next to mine (through the across the garden wall and the
terraced house walls). excitement they had when Red Dragon
“
FM radio gave them
Sean played a
cornet and keyboard
I remember them some airplay.
(before telling me the name James’ dad still
his drums) and
James played
of their band – lives at the same
house and is totally
guitar (they are Manic Street Preachers unaffected by the
cousins and lived across the garden boy's fame. They've
in the same house).
As the band grew, the noise got worse ” come a long way
since then and well deserved fame
for the hard work they've put in over
and their living room was overtaken with the years.
instruments each evening.
Bev Williams
I eventually offered them my garage Jobcentre Plus, South Wales
competition made me feel very jealous. businesses to be able to fund these
sorts of initiatives – where has all
In our office and indeed our district the money gone?
(as far as I am aware) we have no
initiatives at all! We barely have time to do our job
in the day, let alone participate in
I wonder where all the money comes anything in our ‘downtime’.
from to do these activities and more
to the point where does the time Sue Carpenter
come from? Jobcentre Plus, Chapel Court,
Wolverhampton
If we have parity across all of our
What do you think? Send your letters on
any subject to: letters@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd 01/05/2008 14:16 Page 23

Feature
Cover shots
DWP is full of budding photographers, here’s some of their great work…

DWPEOPLE had an overwhelming

response to the call for a front
cover photo for this April’s edition.

The standard was so high that

choosing just one image was very
difficult. So we’ve decided to feature
a selection of some of the best
Christmas Island by Anthony Spring lambs by Susan Biedley, The world’s biggest statue
images in a gallery here. Lowther, The Pension Service, Independent Case Examiners in Russia by Chris Waters,
Tyneview Park, Newcastle Office, Liverpool Jobcentre Plus Manchester
We’ve also featured two of our
favourite images in all their glory
as full pages at the front and back
of this edition.

Watch out for more of the pictures

in forthcoming issues of DWPeople.

Tigers at Chessington World of Close up of a dandelion clock The Doulton Fountain in

Adventures by Peter Barrett, by Sean Wells, Business Glasgow by Rosemary Gallagher
Jobcentre Plus Essex Information Centre, Sheffield Jobcentre Plus West Midlands

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April 2008 | dwpeople | 23
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd
Busted!
Money, money, money
Massive property deals, flashy motors and secret bank accounts – Busted!
reports on two multi-millionaire fraudsters who have been brought to justice
A MILLIONAIRE with properties worth
£3 million has pleaded guilty to claiming
benefits – totalling just £6,000.
William Collard, aged 38, from Horsley,
Northumberland, made the Income
Support claim despite owning houses
in the North-East and London. Rents
from two of the properties raked in
£140,000 a year and he also owned
a luxury Jaguar car worth £32,000.
Collard originally denied making a false
statement to obtain benefits between
December 2003 and September 2004,
saying he had no income, capital or
assets. He claims a sleeping disorder
meant he was unable to work during
this time.
But at Newcastle Crown Court he
changed his plea to guilty, following
a joint investigation between DWP
and Tynedale Council.
The court heard that Collard has now
paid back the £6,000 in full. Judge
David Hodson sentenced him to a two-
year conditional discharge and ordered
him to pay an additional £2,000 in
court costs.
24 | dwpeople | April 2008
01/05/2008 14:16 Page 24
Judge Hodson told him: “You have at
last had the good sense to admit this
offence. This case has got completely
and utterly out-of-hand. You have
incurred further costs and there is
absolutely no reason why you should
not pay them.”
Speaking after the case, DWP Minister
James Plaskitt said: “This is an
excellent example of our success at As well as working together with local
tackling benefit fraud when we work authorities, DWP can also access data
closely with other agencies such as held by banks and utility companies to
local authorities. look for differences in what a customer
declares. Since March, this power
“We are taking a tough line on has been extended to cover credit
benefit fraudsters because they steal reference agencies so the Department
£20 million a year in the North-East can now pinpoint benefit cheats who
alone – money that should be spent are living together but claiming to be
on those who really need it.” single for benefit purposes.
“
You have at last had the good
sense to admit this offence... “
This case has got completely
and utterly out of hand
DWP staff can report benefit fraud using the PPQ form on the desktop M
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd
Benefit fraudster Hani Qaisi (above). The sale of this former hospital site in Manchester netted him £1.75 million alone (Photo credit: Asian News)
HANI QAISI was a self-declared
businessman with a string of successful
property deals under his belt. He even
appeared in The Guardian, talking
about the newsagents he owned in
Manchester city centre.
But despite making millions it wasn’t
enough for Qaisi, from Prestwich,
Manchester – he topped up his
earnings with false benefit claims.
He also claimed for family members
fraudulently, despite his wife and
children moving permanently to
Jordan in 2004.
In total, Qaisi scammed more than
£108,000 in Income Support for himself
and his four children, Severe
Disablement Allowance, Disability
Living Allowance (higher mobility and
middle care component) and Council
Tax benefit.
The fraud first came to light after an
anonymous tip-off on the Targeting
Benefit Thieves website. DWP started
an investigation and soon uncovered
damning evidence.
Investigators found papers linking Qaisi
to at least 36 property deals. Although
he registered the properties under
Members of the public can report suspicions on the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440
01/05/2008 14:16 Page 25
Busted!
Sale: £1,750,000
different names, he used his own bank
accounts to handle the funding and
profits. One of the biggest deals was
the purchase of the former Northern
Hospital in Manchester – bought in
1998 for £350,000 and sold for
£1.75 million in May 2002.
The court heard that Qaisi had at least
seven undeclared bank accounts in the
DURING the time Hani Qaisi
UK, with an estimated £3.1million
passing through them. Six more was claiming benefits, his
undeclared accounts were uncovered “shopping list” included:
in the Middle East, along with two
business accounts in the UK.
£10,000
£
Qaisi also applied for a £221,000 Manchester United shares
bank loan last year, handing in
paperwork that said he was the £50,000
sole owner of a newsagent and had
£
investment in Jersey
been a property dealer for at least
five years.
£51,600
£
Armed with the evidence, Greater apartment in Dubai
Manchester Police arrested Qaisi in
March last year. He pleaded guilty to £83,585
seven charges at Manchester Crown
Court and was given a three-and-a-
£ “Gift” to his son for
half-year prison sentence. property deposits
A confiscation hearing has yet to be
finalised but DWP does intend to
recover the money.
April 2008 | dwpeople | 25
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd
Quiz time
Quickcrossword
Across
6. Seabird with a very large bill (7)
7. 'The Full _____', a comedy film set
in Sheffield (5)
9. Hill, who had a hit single with
'Ernie (TheFastest Milkman In The
West)' (5)
10. These dogs come in standard,
miniature and toy varieties (7)
12. ‘_________ Knocks’, an early TV
talent show (11)
14. They sell salmon, haddock and
plaice (11)
18. Victor, the main character in BBC
sitcom ‘One Foot In The Grave’ (7)
19. Short, swinging blows in boxing
delivered with a crooked arm (5)
21. Manchester band who had hit
singles such as ‘Sit Down’ and
‘Laid’ (5)
22. German measles (7)
26 | dwpeople | April 2008
01/05/2008
Down
1. Her abduction by Paris caused the
Trojan War (5)
2. Detain unlawfully and hold for
ransom (6)
3. Quayle, the Vice-President of the
USA under George HW Bush (3)
4. Its tourist attractions incude
Buckingham Palace and The Globe
Theatre (6)
5. The _____, whose best known
single is ‘Dry Your Eyes’ (7)
8. Fulham FC play at Craven _______
(7)
11. Prairie wolves (7)
13. Nick Clegg is the leader of the
______ Democrat party (7)
15. Rows of closely-planted shrubs
forming fences (6)
16. Greek holiday island, the largest of
the Dodecanese Islands (6)
17. Ability acquired by training (5)
20. Centre part of a wheel (3)
14:16 Page 26
Win a £15 voucher
As usual we were inundated with
entries to the crossword in March’s
edition of DWPeople.
The winner of the £15 Marks &
Spencer voucher was Julie Tonner
from CSA Falkirk.
The correct answers were:
Across: 1.Navy 8 Orangutans
9. Hamilton 10. NASA 12 Jasper
14. Aprons 15. Kitten 17. Royale
18. Bear 19. Zimbabwe 21.
Casablanca 22. Mask
Down: 2. Aquamarine 3. Yogi
4. Walter 5. Uganda 6. Stingray
7. Asia 11. Sunflowers 13. Peter
Across
Pan 16. Nozzle 17. Romans 18. Buck
20. Adam
6. Florida
We’ll give a £15 Marks & Spencer
7. Kinks
voucher
9. Scrum for the first correct entry
drawn
10. Fly-leaf the hat. Each month
from
we’ll print Poppins
12. Mary the answers from the
previous month
14. Eva Longoria and the name of
the
18.winner.
Sabbath
19. Homer
21.don’t
So Roguedelay, fill in your details and
22. Ronaldo
answer the question below to be in
with a chance of winning. Send your
completed crossword marked
DWPeople Crossword Competition.
Using internal mail to:
Laura Turvey
Room 650, London, Caxton House
Or standard post to:
Laura Turvey
Room 650, Caxton House
6 -12 Tothill Street
London SW1H 9NA
Competition closes on
30 April.
Tell us which was your favourite
feature in this issue?
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DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd 01/05/2008 14:16 Page 27

‘Sailing on the mouth of the River Tyne’

by John Hansen, Information Services Directorate,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
DWPeople_April_2008_edition:DWPeople_January_2008_edition.qxd 01/05/2008 14:17 Page 28