DWPeople April 2008 Complete Magazine

A brighter futureDWP tackles childpoverty

Leading lightsSustainability Awardswinners

Do they mean us?How DWP inspirespopular culture

It started torain and werealised itwas going tobe serious

Your DWP staff magazine

APRIL 2008

dwpeople

Business Continuity teams show how to cope in a crisis

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Sunlight through the trees at Chadkirk Woods by Jill Mather, The Pension Service, Stockport


Leading lights show the wayDWP staff show theirwinning ways

Contents

News in BriefNews from across the Department

A brighter futureNew services to tacklechild poverty

Reaching for the starsDeveloping staff potentialthrough the Reach scheme

Civil Service LiveCelebrating innovation in the public sector

Summer SchoolDWPeople speaks to the class of 2007

Our business in show businessDWP’s celebrity credentials

Business continuityHow DWP keeps goingin a crisis

QuiztimeWin a £15 voucher with our crossword

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14Cover shotsMore great snaps fromDWPeople’s competition27

DWPeople – Whilst every effort is made to ensure the reliability of advertisers, DWP cannot accept any liability. The acceptance of advertisements does notimply recommendation by DWP. The advertising for DWPeople is managed by Landmark Publishing Services, 2 Windmill Street, London W1T 2HX. Tel: 0207692 9292. All locations in DWP should receive enough copies of DWPeople to share around.

LettersYour views on everythingfrom the Marathon to theManic Street Preachers

Busted!Two more fraudsters are caught in the act

Steps on the JourneyLatest news from theDWP Change Programme

Team of the monthThe Customer ServiceDelivery team from Essexclaim this month’s title

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We can work it outLEP scheme helpscustomers and employers16


Government Gateway team joins DWPTHE TEAM that helps the public to access online government services has become part of DWP.

The e-Delivery Team (eDT) is responsiblefor the Government Gateway. Usersregister once and can then access 150government e-services, from using theState Pension forecasting service toreturning a Self-Assessment tax form.

The team transfers from the CabinetOffice and the move follows hot on the heels of Directgov, who alsobecame part of DWP this month. The two new teams are part of DWP’sgrowing role in helping the public toaccess government e-services.

Transformational Government director Kenny Robertson says: “This is an important strategic step inbringing together vital IT resources,which will enable joined-up servicesfor our customers.”

eDT director Chris Haynes says: “I am delighted that eDT is joiningDWP – the combination of skills andpassion is a great mix.

“The team hope to make the most of the Department’s strong record of delivering services and to makeGovernment Gateway the automatic choice for identifying and verifying users.”

4 | dwpeople | April 2008

News in Brief

Launch of the Commissionfor Employment and Skills

ON 1 April a commission which puts employers at the centre ofemployment and skills policydevelopment began work.

The Commission for Employment and Skills will provide direct andindependent advice to Ministers onissues such as the job skills employersneed for economic success, how UKemployers can use skills to becomemore competitive and whetherstatutory 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 DWPinternal communications

INTERNAL communications teamsacross DWP have been shortlisted for this year’s CiB (Communicators in Business) Awards.

DWPeople and plus magazine bothreceived ‘Awards of Excellence’ fromthe judges and are among four finalistscompeting for the prize of 2008 bestinternal magazine.

The awards will be presented by theBBC’s Huw Edwards at the CiB Awardsdinner on 23 May at the HiltonMetropole in Brighton.

Winner of January’sDWPeople competition

CONGRATULATIONS to Claire Murray who works at the ChildSupport Agency in Falkirk.

Claire won a seven-night holiday for two at the Hotel Paradise Park in Los Cristianos, Tenerife.

Nothing’s gonna stop us nowTHE TEAM at Worksop Jobcentre Plus is dedicated to providing an excellentservice to their customers. And when the team’sdedication was put to the testwith severe weather damagerestricting their ability tomaintain this service – theypassed with flying colours.

After a stormy night in March, the Jobcentre Plus office wasdamaged with fallen debris from the roof and the glass atrium making the entrance unsafe.

Although the Jobcentre entrance was completely blocked, the dedicatedteam refused to close the officecompletely and instead dug out their contingency plan and decidedwhat to do next.

Customer service operations manager,James Busher said: “The team workedbrilliantly together to formulate a planto remain open.

“They opened two side entrances to the office, put in place extra

customer service officers, cordonedoff all the damaged or unsafe areas,rang customers to rearrange a hugenumber of appointments and put plans in place for enquiries and payments.

“When I visited the office a few dayslater it was very clear to me that thisteam has gone the extra mile to deliver a ‘business as usual’ service to our customers.”

� Find out more about BusinessContinuity on pages 18-19.

Some of the Worksop Jobcentre Plus team


News in Brief

Do you have any news for inclusionin DWPeople? Email your [email protected]

Blooming lovely

Launch of the Pension, Disability and Carers Service

A CANCER charity is now £3,250better off – thanks to the efforts ofbig-hearted DWP staff. The Health and Social Security RecreationalAssociation (HASSRA) Herefordshireraised the cash by organising a rangeof events including a sky dive, treasurehunts, cake sales and a 70s disco.

But the charity drive was bittersweet,as colleagues were raising money inmemory of former workmate DaveGilbert. Dave died in August last yearfollowing a battle with cancer and thefunds will go to the MacMillan RentonAppeal at Hereford County Hospital.

HASSRA Herefordshire chairmanGareth Niblett said: “Fundraising is a big part of our activities and it waseven more poignant this year to beraising funds for a charity that helpedone of our colleagues.”

MacMillan fundraising officer HelenCotterell added: “The support ofHASSRA and in particular GarethNiblett has been wonderful. Theyhave made a significant contributiontowards the MacMillan RentonAppeal and have helped us reachour target of £1.5 million.”

April 2008 | dwpeople | 5

APRIL marked an exciting chapter inDWP’s history, with the official launch of a new agency.

The Pension, Disability and CarersService formally started business on 1 April. Both The Pension Service and the Disability and Carers Servicewill continue to operate under theirexisting brands and from their existinglocations with no immediate changevisible to customers.

But over time the new agency willprovide a more joined-up service to customers.

Permanent Secretary Leigh Lewis says:“Both The Pension Service and the

Disability and Carers Service have a great deal to be proud of. Buttogether they will undoubtedlybecome more than simply the sum of their parts.

“I would like to wish everyone workingin the new agency every success asthey 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 executiveof the new agency.

His welcome letter is available on theintranet at http://intralink/1/pdcs/about/dwp_t376526.asp

CONGRATULATIONS to DWPeople’s front cover photowinner – Susan Georgiou fromPerry Barr Jobcentre Plus.

Susan’s photo of a spring-timedaffodil in full bloom impressed the DWPeople team with its beautiful simplicity. It was perfectfor April’s front cover.

DWPeople received lots of greatphotos – so thanks to everyone who sent one in.

DWP colleagues raise funds in memoryof former workmate

Cheque-mates: Cheryl Collins and GarethNiblett from HASSRA presenting the fundsto Helen Cotterell (right)

April’s frontcover image

Chief executive Terry Moran



Feature

A brighter future

FOR LONE parents the opportunity toget back into work can seem dauntingwithout crucial childcare support.

From April, changes to the ChildcareAct will improve the information andguidance they need to get intoemployment.

Local authorities in England will work directly with Jobcentres to offer a joined-up service that includespractical – as well as financial – job support.

Jobcentre Plus have enhanced their

systems to more accurately record child details and childcare barriers to work.

And dedicated Childcare PartnershipManagers (CPMs) will work moreclosely with Children’s Centres,external childcare partners andemployers.

The CPMs will ensure that the level ofJobcentre Plus service being deliveredthrough Children’s Centres meets theneeds of families in the area.

Jobcentre Plus advisers will offer

ongoing support to help the parentsinto, and through, their employment.

Jobcentre Plus has also introducedchildcare discussions with parents atnew claims and review interviews.

The childcare discussion will seek toestablish whether there are childcarebarriers to work and promote thebenefits of using formal childcare.

A range of other services are alsobeing introduced from April to helplone parents find, and stay in,employment.

David Hall looks at how new services from Jobcentre Plus and the Childcare Actwill benefit lone parents and keep DWP on course to eradicate child poverty

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


Feature

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

“Other changes in 2008 to help tackle childpoverty:

� New Deal Plus for Lone Parents Pilots will beextended to the whole London region andoffer key elements of the package to eligiblecouple parents as well as to lone parents.� All lone parents and parent partners of Jobseeker’s Allowance customers will be seenmore often to give them the support andadvice to get them into work.� The extension of IWC to couple parents inNew Deal Plus areas outside of London.� From November, a lone parent whose youngest child is aged 12 or over will nolonger be entitled to receive Income Supportsolely on the grounds that he or she is a lone parent.


Case study

GERALDINE Fisher, childcarepartnership manager at Coventry and Warwickshire District Office,explains how the new changes will benefit customers.

“We will be able to work with localauthorities more intensively,” saysGeraldine Fisher,“and sharinginformation will help us improve thesupport 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 theDepartment to share information with local authorities to influence thesupply of local childcare provision.

“Our previous systems didn’t fullycapture childcare barrier to workinformation for each child,” explains

Geraldine. “Now we can identifywhere the gaps are and signpost our customers to formal childcare and help them into employment.”

“We already provide information andsupport to Children’s Centres. There is a Jobcentre Plus noticeboard inevery centre and all centres have anamed adviser.

“Our local advisers also work directlywith external partners like the FamilyInformation Service.

“Stronger links with local authoritiesand Children’s Centres are critical todelivering 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 year to help lone parents make the move from benefits to work

Guaranteed job interviews, where possible, for those ready to move into work

In Work adviser support for the first six monthswith the possibility of financial help

Invitations to ‘Options and Choices’ eventsoffering support to move into work


Feature


“IN THE past I was happy to sit backand sulk if decisions didn’t go my way– now I’ve got the confidence to tackleproblems. I’ve realised that I’m the onewho can make a change.”

Jacqueline Clipston was just one ofthe staff to benefit from a pilotprogramme with a difference. The12-month scheme was set up todevelop the skills of disabled andethnic minority staff at AA to SEOgrade. The aim is to work with staff to help them develop their potentialand to compete on equal terms for any promotion opportunities.

Building on the success of the pilot runwithin Shared Services, a new schemecalled Reach will be launched acrossDWP in May. The programme will workwith a particular group of staff whohave all been identified as having thepotential to be future DWP leaders.

Over a 12-month period, they will beequipped with tools and techniquesthat will allow them to overcomebarriers constructively and compete on equal terms for progressionopportunities in DWP.

“The pilot was a real eye-opener for me,” says Jacqueline, who worksat Corby Debt Centre. Jacqueline –who has a painful permanent backinjury following a car crash – is now exploring more developmentopportunities to give her the career she wants.

Laihan Schofield, from Bradford DebtCentre, was equally upbeat abouttaking part in the pilot. She says: “This was a fantastic opportunity to focus on my career. At first I wasa bit apprehensive but, having takenpart, I’d definitely recommend theexperience to others.”

Julie Dyer from DWP’s OrganisationalCapability Centre of Expertise says:“DWP employs a diverse workforce,with more than 15,000 staff identifyingthemselves as either disabled or froman ethnic minority. But at seniormanagement level, the number of stafffrom these groups is relatively small.

“Reach has been set up to address thisissue and the programme will have twodistinct strands to meet the needs ofdisabled and ethnic minority staff.”

� Staff will be invited to apply forReach from 1 May. Look out formore information in HeadlineNews on the DWP intranethomepage.

Reachingfor the

stars Catherine Chan reportson Reach, the scheme

that aims to developpotential in under-

represented groups Nazmeen Razaq (left) and Laihan Schofield (right) participatedin a pilot that has developed into the Reach programme

More information

Reasonable adjustments can be made to make sure a disabled member of staff is not put at a substantial disadvantage. Find out more at:http://intralink.link2.gpn.gov.uk/1/corp/sites/hr/nonpolicy/diversityandequality/department/adjustments/DWP_T373163.asp

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

DWP offers a wide range of learning and

development opportunities. Find out more at:http://intralink/1/

corp/sites/cld/index.asp


Feature


Steps on the JourneyDecember’s DWPeopleincluded a supplementabout the DWP ChangeProgramme. CatherineChan catches up withthe team to find outwhat progress has beenmade so far this year

IMPROVING customer service, helpingthe Department become more efficientand more united – nobody can accusethe DWP Change Programme of havingsmall ambitions.

Director of Change ManagementStephen Holt says: “The DWP ChangeProgramme is made up of manyprojects but they all aim to makethings better for our customers andstaff. DWP Journey – Creating ourfuture gave a snapshot of ourachievements so far, our currentprojects and our plans for the future.”

Since DWP Journey’s publication, a real success story has been the DWP Signposting Directory. This wasdesigned to help frontline staff directcustomers to the right person quicklyno matter where they access theDepartment. Since going live on theintranet at the end of 2007, theDirectory has been accessed tens ofthousands of times and has receivedoverwhelmingly positive feedback from staff. Staff can even find Welshlanguage telephone numbers for DWP,other government departments andthird parties via a simple icon.

From 31 March, there were newentries included in the main directoryas well as a page of extra numbers ( ) which effectively doubles theinformation available. Additionalenhancements will include access toregional-based numbers and opening

times – but the directory will retain itseasy-to-understand layout.

The Signposting Directory is part of a wider move to help customers whocontact us.

This includes introducing a ‘consistentgreeting’ in DWP contact centres, andwas earlier reported in DWP Journey.From April, all customers who phoneDWP contact centres will hear thesame automated message. Customerswill hear the same voice whichevercontact centre they’ve called, and thesame music if they need to wait fortheir call to be answered. This all helpsto identify us as one Department.

A key part of the Change Programmeis using Lean techniques to improveservices.

Notably, The Pension Service launchedits first Lean initiative at StockportPension Centre. The Business Care Unit is using Lean principles to reviewthe process of receiving, processingand managing the post that comes into the centre.

Lean isn’t just about frontline deliverystaff however. The corporate centre isnot missing out either – the Work,

Welfare and Equality Group’s housingcosts business stream is running a Lean project to look at the way ithandles Housing Benefit and CouncilTax enquiries.

Speaking at the launch of the project,divisional manager Paul Howarth said:“It is an excellent way of helpingpeople to learn new skills and newways of working. This should help us work in the most efficient ways.”

A key part of Lean is creating the rightenvironment for everyone to think andbehave in a ‘Lean’ way. Jobcentre Plus’sLondon Senior Management Teamhave recently started this process whenthey took part in a four-day eventdesigned to familiarise them with Leantools, techniques and to explain theprinciples 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

Materials from the DWP Journey – Creating our future campaign

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SHOW THE W YLE DING LIGHTS


Feature

Hats off to the four members of staff that have won Sustainability in the Department Awards!

PAM Baines, Ian Karpinski, Steven Jones and VickiPidgeon have all made outstanding contributionsto sustainable development in their regions.

Veronica O’Connell from the DWP SustainableDevelopment team said: “The winners have shown what a difference individual actions canmake, and their example has encouraged others to take responsibility. They are leading lights forsustainable development in the Department.”

Lord McKenzie – the Minister who leads onSustainable Development in DWP – presented thewinners with certificates and paperweights carvedfrom 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 theirachievements to be recognised for centuries!

Business Unit: North-East Yorkshire andthe Humber District Performance TeamLocation: Hull

LAST year Vicki set up a SustainableDevelopment Group for 20 Jobcentresin the local area. The venture has raised awareness of environmentalissues and cost-cutting.

Vicki regularly attends seniormanagement meetings to promote the group’s activities and ensure that management is kept aware ofsustainable development initiatives. Her ideas include arranging recycling

collections, car sharing, duplex printingand using recycled materials.

Vicki and three other colleagues havetaken the initiative by checking officeareas and switching off any computermonitors or lights, to save energy.

Vicki enthused: “I never thought I’dget an award for this. Initially, I justthought that something should bedone in my office and my managertold me to ‘go for it’.

“The response to my campaigns hasbeen really positive. In their homes,

people do so many sustainable thingslike recycling waste and switching offlights, so it seemed only right for themto continue in the workplace.”

A lot of bottle: Vicki recycles justabout everything

Vicki Pidgeon


Business Unit: CIS Frontline ServicesLocation: Newcastle

IAN is the vital link between some of the UK’s biggest charities – notablythe Woodland Trust, Vision AidOverseas and the World WildlifeFoundation – and his work area’srecyclable donations.

Indeed, Ian doesn’t like to see anything go to waste and gratefullyaccepts anything from mobile phonesto spectacles.

He keeps his Newcastle Estate team

up-to-date with recycling and energy-saving issues in a regular newsletter.

Ian also promotes charities thatdesperately need donations such asthe splendidly titled Re-cyke-y-bike.The organisation specialises inrestoring bikes and providingroadworthy transport for particulargroups such as people with mentalhealth issues and the long-termunemployed.

Ian said: “I’m delighted to get thisaward. I have always been involvedin recycling and believe the

Department’s environmental efforts have really improved over the last few years.”

Feature


Ian Karpinski

Born tree: Ian swore he’d only left thecoffee cups there for a fortnight

Pam BainesBusiness Unit: Jobcentre PlusLocation: Fleetwood

WHEN Pam was concerned about a lack of sustainability actions in her office last year she decided to do something about it. During acommunications meeting she delivereda presentation on sustainabledevelopment and gave her colleaguessustainable development starter packs.

Pam has formed a team that takescharge of recycling tins, plastic andglass. As well as producing aninformative newsletter she has startedanother group which has membersacross six coastal Jobcentres. They meetto discuss ideas and share the most

effective practices. It’s fair to say Pam has started something of a seaside revolution!

Pam said: “There wasn’t a hugeamount going on here and I reallywanted to communicate to our team how important sustainabledevelopment is.

“Once people realise the possibilitiesthey are generally really enthusiastic. In the Department we need to aim forconsistency, but we’re getting there.“

Reflecting on the award, she said: “I’m really chuffed! Getting recognitionraises the profile of our efforts and will get more people involved.”

Bin there, done that: Pam with threedays worth of recyclables

Steven JonesBusiness Unit: Management Supportat Disability and Carers ServiceLocation: Manchester

STEVE is a member of his business unit’ssustainable development network andhas been instrumental in promotinggreen issues in his area. He hassurveyed his colleagues’ travel habitsand promoted car-sharing.

At a recent learning and developmentevent he set up stands providingenergy-saving information, free low-energy light bulbs and water savingdevices known as ‘hippos’. He also

produces an article in the unit’snewsletter and maintains a noticeboardfor news on sustainable development.

During an office reorganisation he 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 the profile of these vitally important issues, so to get recognition is really rewarding.”

Board monitor: Steven provides awealth of information for staff


MORE THAN 6,000 people gathered at the Queen Elizabeth II conferencecentre, in London, for Civil Service Live.

Held over three days it was the firstever event dedicated to the CivilService.

The theme of the event was innovationand provided a chance for governmentdepartments to show new, cuttingedge services.

It also gave staff the opportunity toshow what they’ve been doing toimprove how they work.

Several informative workshops were also held throughout thebuilding. Contributions includedDeveloping Deliverable Policy from the National School of Governmentand Reliable Product Delivery fromCriminal Justice IT.

There were also a range of speeches

about winning formulas, from suchvisionaries as Matt Dawson - the RugbyWorld Cup winner – and, indeed, thePrime Minister.

The Department was represented byThe Solutions Centre and the DWPAccessibility Solutions team (supportedby EDS and BT).

The Accessibility Solutions team’sdisplay included all manner ofequipment designed to help ourdisabled members of staff to carry outtheir jobs. There are over 600 people inthe Civil Service using the technology.

Accessibility Solutions Leader Jenny Van Tinteren said: “We want topromote what the Department is doing to comply with the DisabilityDiscrimination Act that it created.”

Meanwhile the Solutions Centre team,led by Jo Donaldson, were there todiscuss how innovation and ideas have

transformed some of the processeswithin the Department.

Jo said: “This event is an effective wayof connecting with people andinspiring each other with ideas.

“We work with staff and encouragethem to respond to challenges. Seeingtheir passion and energy is veryrewarding,” she enthused.

The team even had a visit from head ofthe home Civil Service, Gus O’Donnell.Civil Service Live also featured speechesfrom Permanent Secretary Leigh Lewisand Jobcentre Plus Chief ExecutiveLesley Strathie.

There was also the Lion’s Lair – withsimilarities to a certain televisionprogramme – in which people with bigideas were put through their paces bythe likes of businessman Peter Jones.Don’t miss a review of our candidatesnext month.


Feature

Live and kicking

Liz Crowther from Jobcentre Plus inLondon, said: “Events like this arereally improving. The Civil Service isbecoming a modern organisation and welcoming change. Sharinginnovation really seems to inspirepeople. I think even the traditionalistsare prepared to be convinced.”

Karen Loughridge, from the Learningand Development team in Leedsenthused: “It was very interesting.Gordon Brown’s speech set the scenearound the skills challenges, capabilityand personal responsibility, which wasreally inspiring. It was also good tonetwork with people who havesimilar issues across government.”

700 people from across DWPattended the event. Here’s whatsome of them thought:

Communications manager at theDisability Benefits Centre inBirmingham, Vicky Doherty, said: “Ipicked up vital information fromorganisations such as Serco (privatesector) and The Pension Service,which I will use while studying for mydegree and, ultimately, that will helpmy performance in the workplace.”

Civil Service with a smile as event brings in the crowds



Feature

Top of the classSummer School willbe opening its doors again later this year.

Catherine Chan speaksto two staff from theclass of 2007

For more information about DWPSummer School visit: http://intralink/1/corp/sites/cld/my-development/summer-school/index.asp

“I WOULD highly recommendSummer School but only to thosewho are prepared to work hard toachieve results. I’m not going topretend that it’s all fun and games –there’s a lot of hard work involved.

“I applied for Summer Schoolbecause I’d heard about the Change Programme but myknowledge 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 greatdevelopment and networking

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 nowmuch more independent and notafraid to speak up for myself.

“The feedback and expertise from lastyear’s Summer School will be used tohelp shape the Department’s future.Think how much of an achievement itwould be if you suggested somethingthat helps your colleagues and ourcustomers’ lives.”

“I APPLIED for Summer School after seeing an article on the DWPintranet. It seemed like a chance toget involved in the bigger pictureand 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.

SCHOOL days are supposed to be thebest time of your life and while DWPcan’t turn back time, it has developed away of helping staff to carry on learning.

Set up in 1955, DWP’s Summer Schoolhas firmly established itself as a majorlearning and development opportunityfor staff (grades AA/Band A and HEO/Band D). Its success means SummerSchool 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 peoplewho took part last year:

Kristy Harrop, Disability and Carers Service, Blackpool

John stapleton, child support agency, plymouth “Our group was given the task oflooking at the Lean process and how it could be positive for DWP. Wepresented our findings to the whole of Summer School and were voted the best. That was the icing on thecake at the end an amazing week!

“It’s difficult to quantify what I got out of taking part. The main point forme is that you are a valued as a personand for your contributions. Your gradedoesn’t matter one iota – just whatyou bring to the table.”

John (second left) with the winning team


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SHOW BUSINESS


Feature

UB40THE Birmingham-based reggae group formed, quite literally, on the dolequeue. Emerging from the recession-hit late 1970s the eight memberscombined their ‘job hunting’ with learning to play instruments. Theband 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 ironicallytitled Signing Off. Since then they have scored 40 hits in the UK,including three number ones.

Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘EmAT ONCE amusing and unsettling. Only the 1970s could haveaddressed learning difficulties in such a way. The unsympathetictitle was merely a hint to the chaos that would ensue every timethe central character, Frank Spencer, walked into a room.Several episodes were devoted to his complete inability tosecure and maintain gainful employment. Occupational mishapsincluded destroying a computer, causing the food dispenser in acanteen to malfunction and reversing a removal van overpriceless artefacts. With his unmistakable mackintosh, tank-topand beret combination, and peculiar voice, Frank became oneof the most iconic characters of the decade.

BoysFrom theBlackstuff

IF YOU look up angry in the dictionary you may well find a picture of Yosser Hughes – the anti-hero of Alan Bleasdale’s bleak dramaabout the demise of working-class Britain inthe eighties. Yosser reacted against hisunemployed status by shouting and, if theoccasion warranted it, resorting to violence. It was a brave attempt to show howThatcherism was damaging the country.

Our Business in

��

Did youknow?Dole is a derivative ofthe word doling. Itrefers to the state‘doling’ out funds tothe unemployed.

The Department’s activities have been aninspiration for popular culture over the years. John Pinching looks at how the Department hasbeen represented or, indeed, misrepresented fordramatic, comic or poetic effect



Withnail & I

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

Love on the doleTHIS relentlessly gloomy but extremely importantnovel by Walter Greenwood describes theexperiences of a family in Northern England duringthe great depression of the 1930s. Despite his bestefforts the central character, Harry, is unable to finda job and only finds solace in a relationship with awoman, whom he eventually marries. The decisiononly adds to his woe; his family disown him andpoverty remains omnipresent. If it’s cheering up youneed, this is possibly not the book for you!

BreadWHILE claiming unemployment benefit Joey Boswell – the eldest offive young adults still living at home – would rock up to the localdole office clad in leather and driving a white Jaguar. A single lookwas all it took to realise that Martina – his DHSS officer – was notimpressed. He would explain his efforts to find a job and she wouldgive a world-weary sigh, before unleashing a crippling put-down.As the series wore on, and indeed, by the sixth, it had become verywearing, Joey and Martina had built a rapport. It was ultimatelyunderstood that here was a man who could no more face a hardday’s work than he could move out of the family home.

THE 1986 film Withnail and I made very littleimpact at the box office when it was firstreleased. Since resurfacing a few years later,however, it has become one of the mostquotable British films of all time, especiallyamong its cult following. The movie’s twocentral characters are ‘resting’ actors whoselives have descended into chaos, fear andpoverty. In an attempt to escape they embarkon an ill-advised trip to the country. Thedialogue is punctuated with references to lifeon the dole. Notably when the eponymous ‘I’ tells Uncle Monty that they need “to getback to London to sign on”. “At a labourexchange?!” replies a horrified Monty. ‘I’ explains, “It’s sort of fashionable, actually. All the actors do it, even Redgrave.”

Steptoe and Son


DWPeople reports onthe scheme that ishelping unemployedcustomers andbusinesses alike

RETURNING to work can be anintimidating experience, particularly for people who have been out oftouch with the world of work for along time. It can be equally dauntingfor an employer to consider recruitingsomeone who doesn’t have recentwork experience. Local EmploymentPartnerships (LEPs) are helping tosmooth the way for both customersand employers.

More than 600 firms have now signedup to LEPs including Tesco, Sainsbury’sand Asda. And while high street nameswere among the first, local and smallercompanies are also pledging theirsupport because LEPs can benefit anybusiness that needs to recruit on aregular basis.

Overall, Local Employment Partnershipsaim to get 250,000 high prioritycustomers into work by December 2010.

Melanie Baker (pictured above) is just one of the employers to benefitfrom LEPs. She runs Tulip CleaningServices, a laundry and home cleaningbusiness in Malvern with 35 staff. The company were finding it difficult to recruit the right people.

Melanie says: “Jobcentre Plus suggestedsetting up a LEP. The benefit from ourpoint of view is that they select seriouscandidates that we interview for worktrials. These enable the employer toassess whether the individual is right

for the job and allows the candidate tosee whether a job suits them and how it fits in with their obligations such aspicking up children from school.”

Melanie sees the trials as a key wayto help Tulip’s new recruits feelcomfortable in the workplace. She also speaks highly of the Jobcentre Plus staff that helped get her LEP upand running: “It’s been a real two-waystreet, a proper partnership to help usto fill our vacancies and help peopleback to work.”

Feature

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.

What are the benefits of Local Employment Partnerships?

We can work it out

Employer Melanie Baker (left) with Joan Skerry from Jobcentre Plus


Feature

Case Study: The employer

RANDSTAD INHOUSE Services is a recruitment and HR specialist.Randstad already had a good workingrelationship with Jobcentre Plus, and in the West Midlands their LEPagreement has quickly started to pay off. They will now use the LEPapproach nationally to helpunemployed people into work.

Director Lisa Gainsford says: “The LEPgives us an opportunity to tap into a

great number of local people livingin the area where our clients arebased. With the right preparationthese are good recruits who arelikely to stay with us and theemployer 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.”

MICHAEL, 22, is from Aberdeen. He has Asperger syndrome, a form of autism, and finds social situationsdifficult. He also has problems withconcentration and self-motivation.

For three years he claimed Jobseeker’sAllowance and was primarily lookingfor a job as a delivery driver. When the First Bus Group committed to a LEP, Michael’s adviser encouragedhim to consider work as a bus driverwith First Aberdeen Ltd.

Michael was given guidance onwhat the firm would be looking for. He was encouraged to beopen and honest at the interview,and to raise any issues or concernshe had. His interviewers wereimpressed and he started as atrainee bus driver in January.

Michael says that First is the best employer he has ever had. The buddy system is especiallyimportant, helping him not just with training but also with tacklingsocial situations.

Awarding the bestJOBCENTRE 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 paneland 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


Case Study: The employeE

An image from the LEPmarketing campaign



Feature

DWP is committed to providing excellent customerservice whatever the circumstances

REMEMBER those snowy morningswhen 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 yourschool had been closed. As an adultyou’re praying it’s open – who’s going to look after the kids whileyou’re at work?

When something happens whichchanges 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 serviceto customers.

When an unforeseen event such asextreme weather or power failure in a building occurs, DWP is ready with a comprehensive strategy for dealingwith any disruption.

Business continuity has been put tothe test within DWP over the last fewmonths with local flooding, fires andother disruptions affecting staff andthe offices they work in.

When anything happens whichthreatens the Department’s ability to continue its daily work, businesscontinuity plans are on hand to helpdeal with disruption and maintain aservice to customers – while minimising

the impact and potential stress onstaff. But it is vitally important thatstaff also know what to do in theevent of an emergency.

DWP took part in Business ContinuityAwareness Week this month tohighlight the need for businesscontinuity plans to be in place in all business units and make sure that everyone knows what to do ifdisruption occurs and who to contact.

Departmental Business Continuitymanager Julie Shenton said: “One of the major events of the year wasthe Royal Mail postal dispute. Many of our customers who receive chequepayments could have been severelyaffected, but we managed to control the disruption by invokingthe Alternative Distribution Channelwhich made sure that customers couldcollect their cheques from the nearestpost office.

“Since April 2007 the team have been actively involved in 26 incidentsincluding limited access to CaxtonHouse in London due to a buildingnearby collapsing, closure of DearneValley Pension Centre due to floodingand closure of Jobcentre Plus GrimsbyContact Centre due to fire and loss of power. The staff emergency line has been used on more than 50 occasions.”

Business as usual


Feature

A severe case of flooding

Customer planning and risk managerBryan Sharp is part of Jobcentre Plus’sBusiness Continuity team who werecalled to action last year whenYorkshire and the Humber Region was hit by severe flooding.

“The rain began on 25 June,” saysBryan. “In Leeds we had very heavyrain, but it wasn’t until we saw thepotential flood warnings on the newsthat we realised this was going to be serious.

“It hit home how bad the situationhad become when a colleague leftwork early to try and get home, buthad to stay in a hotel with her familybecause she couldn’t make it all theway back to her house.”

As the rain showed no sign ofstopping, the Business Continuityteam, steered by customer servicedirector, Gill Farnsworth, beganworking on contingency plans forhelping staff and customers. BusinessContinuity call trees were used tocontact staff who had been affectedimmediately and were unable to getinto work. As the situation got worsethe team began planning for whatwould happen if the region’s Ulley

dam burst, forcing a wall of wateronto the M1 and potentially takingout pylons and disrupting the area’selectricity supply.

Bryan says: “The team workedtogether to assess how we couldmake sure that, whatever happened,we were able to provide a service toour customers. We also needed towork out how we would get help tocustomers who were unable to getinto our Jobcentres.

“We had daily telekits and receiveddaily updates from the districts. Wealso made sure that senior managersand ministers were briefed andprovided support through theevacuation centres that had been setup to house people who had beenflooded out of their homes.”

Jobcentre Plus staff visited theevacuation centres to offer adviceabout the help that was available for customers once they returned to their home.

Bryan says: “Staff at the evacuationcentres were on hand to providesupport to jobseekers and pensionersand, where necessary, make payments

in cash and advise on crisis loans andcommunity care grants to replacedamaged goods in their homes.

“Everyone worked well and waswilling to pull together and makethings happen to ensure we werethere for our customers.”

On 2 July the rain finally stopped andthe water began to recede. Lots ofpeople had been affected but thesituation began to get better.

“The whole event was a major learningcurve for us,” says Bryan. “We didn’thave enough plans in place to copewith such a drastic event, but after the event the team worked withnational Jobcentre Plus BusinessContinuity colleagues to develop apolicy which has now been publishedon the national business continuitywebsite and everyone can use.

“Later in the year the South-West washit by flooding, but this time we wereable to offer advice and support –sharing what we’d learned from ourexperience 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


• Discuss who to contact during a

disruption with your line manager

• Make sure your line manager has your contact

information including your nominated emergency

contact, phone numbers and address

• Understand the role you have to play in your

Team Business Continuity Plan and discuss this

with your line manager

• Visit the Business Continuity intranet site and

look at the pages about emergency, awareness

and learning and development

• Make sure you have a DWP staff emergency card

Be prepared – simple tips

DWP staff emergency contacts

Cut-out and keep this emergencyinformation card containing these details

Phone: 0800 783 6617

Web: www.dwp.gov.uk/emergency



TEAMTEAM OFOF

THETHE MONTHMONTH

Achieving the best

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, Brentwoodand Grays in Essex, have gone fromstrength to strength – exceeding theirtargets and providing a great servicefor 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 forDWPeople’s Team of the Month. Shesays: “We have all worked hard to makesure we met our targets and, even moreremarkably, this has all been achievedduring a challenging staffing situation.

“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 resourcesacross locations to achieve aconsistently strong performance.”

Jobcentre manager Debbie Young has contributed to the team’s successby making sure her Jobcentre Plusoffice is customer-focused at all times. She says: “We aim to deliverthe service our customers expect by making sure we respond to them promptly in a professional and courteous manner.

“Our whole team is committed toproviding an excellent service – andwe support each other across thethree offices to make this a reality.”

Making sure performance remainsconsistently high across all three offices is another vital task whichadvisory service managers Heva Vance and Vilma Wilson are on-handto make happen.

Heva says: “We regularly work across the offices to make the best use of our resources. Recent staffsicknesses led to staff absencebecoming unexpectedly high. Vilma and I worked together to review diaries and help organise

Team members (left to right): Heva Vance, Ronke Abass, Vilma Wilson, Debbie Young, Donna Gowler

Team of theMonth


Achieving the best

DWPeople wants to hear from those teams that have demonstratedat 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: [email protected]

Are you the next Team of the Month?

cover for all critical customerappointments, without affecting overall customer service standards.

“At times of stress we occasionally runout together at lunchtime for somemuch needed caffeine and cakes!”

Vilma added: “We ensure that all parts of the team’s work are covered,helping our advisers to carry on withtheir roles, whilst giving customers an effective service. It’s a win-winsituation, as the business side getsprogressed and customer service ismaintained at all times.

“Each team member is always availableto answer a daft question or share best practice and I reciprocatewhenever I can. We know that others are always there to help if weneed it which is priceless.”

“We are an experienced team with

good knowledge of the local

labour market and we regularly

receive compliments about our

service from employers.

“It’s great to be part of a team

where we all get on so well and

you know you have the support

needed. I’m never afraid to ask for advice or

support because I know someone in the team will

be there to help.”

Debbie Young, Jobcentre Manager

The team:

Sue Murray, BasildonAbi Onabowu, BasildonHeva Vance, BasildonVilma Wilson, BasildonDonna Gowler, BrentwoodRonke Abass, GraysPaula Cox, GraysDebbie Young, Grays

“We are always willing to share ideas – a colleague is only a phone call away to discuss issues and shednew light on guidance.

“You know that no matter whatand how bad it is, there is someone willing to share tea and cake andlisten to your moaning!”

Paula Cox, Advisory Services Manager

The team’s key challenges:

• Employer Outcome target – ensuring at least

84 per cent of employers that place vacancies with

Jobcentre Plus have a positive outcome

• Intervention target – focusing on making a

difference for customers, including making sure

that 90 per cent of the team’s Labour Market

Interventions are booked and conducted on time,

failure to attend action is taken when required and

follow up activities are conducted accurately

• Customer Service target – ensuring services

are successfully delivered to customers across an

agreed set of standards.



competition made me feel very jealous.

In our office and indeed our district (as far as I am aware) we have noinitiatives at all!

I wonder where all the money comesfrom to do these activities and more to the point where does the time come from?

If we have parity across all of our

What do you think? Send your letters on any subject to: [email protected]

Practise what you preach

I ENJOYED reading about people in the Department who are connected to afamous name.

I'm not a relative, but I did live next doorto two of the Manic Street Preachers forseven years.

I remember them growing up andpainfully learning to play theirinstruments well into the night in thebedroom next to mine (through theterraced house walls).

Sean played acornet and keyboard(before his drums) andJames played guitar (they arecousins and lived in the same house).

As the band grew, the noise got worseand their living room was overtaken withinstruments each evening.

I eventually offered them my garage

Marathon plans

’MAKING tracks’ in the March editionof DWPeople featured a selection ofpeople’s Marathon plans.

However it did not include any storiesabout people running for the CivilService’s own official charities.

I realise that space was limited and you couldn’t cover everyone, but as some people’s places in theMarathon 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 betaking part in the Marathon on behalfof the Civil Service Lifeboat Fund.

Those of us running for charities need all the help we can get topublicise our fundraising websites.

David LewisCorporate, Leeds

Laura Turvey, DWPeople, responds:

THANKS for letting us know David. We did have a huge response – it’sgreat that the Marathon is so wellrepresented by DWP staff.

Hopefully lots of people will get toread this and find out about whatyou’re doing by visiting: www.justgiving.com/davidlewis6

Healthy teams

I HAVE to say that reading the entriesfor the ‘how healthy is your team’

for practice – but the acoustics werenot right.

I remember them telling me the nameof the band – ‘Manic Street Preachers’across the garden wall and theexcitement they had when Red Dragon

FM radio gave themsome airplay.

James’ dad still lives at the samehouse and is totallyunaffected by theboy's fame. They'vecome a long way

since then and well deserved fame for the hard work they've put in overthe years.

Bev WilliamsJobcentre Plus, South Wales

I remember themtelling me the nameof their band –Manic Street Preachersacross the garden

“

”

STAR LETTER

businesses to be able to fund thesesorts of initiatives – where has all the money gone?

We barely have time to do our job in the day, let alone participate inanything in our ‘downtime’.

Sue Carpenter Jobcentre Plus, Chapel Court,Wolverhampton


Feature

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FLORIDA, ORLANDO. 10 mins toDisney. Brand new executive four Bedthree Bath fully air con villa with a lakeview screened pool and spa. Weeklyrate for villa from £470 (not perperson). Tel. 01507 600310/[email protected]

FORE Property Services. Spain, CostaBlanca. Holidays/ Long term rentals.

Villas and apartments. Discountedrates. www.foreonline.com. Email:[email protected] Tel: 0034 96 6729238 Mob: 0034 69 620 7372

FRANCE. Quality French HolidayAccommodation, Large RuralConverted Water Mill, Vendeen BeachVilla & Alpine Ski Chalet. All details atwww.frenchholidayaccommodation.co.uk Tel: 01706 839170. Email:[email protected]

NEW FOREST LODGES. TraditionalVictorian farmhouse has cosy, onedouble bedroom lodge, with glassdoors leading from lounge onto largewooden decked area, sleeps four &separate large two bedroom lodge,sleeps six, both have uninterruptedviews of gorgeous countryside. Accessto forest, trailway for cycling, walking& horse riding. Swimming pool(heated). Within easy reach ofbeautiful award winning South coastbeaches. For info: 01425 472115

PERSONAL TRAINING, bodywork,energy coaching. London based. Re-define your body and your life.www.re-define.co.uk James Jacoby07879 447300

ROME CITY CENTRE, Testaccio. Twonew apartments sleep four people ineach. From 90 Euros per apartment pernight. 10 per cent discount to DWPemployees. For further info:http://rentintestaccio.googlepages.comemail: [email protected] Sandra 0044 774 9789630

STRATHLEVEN EXECUTIVE CARS. Asmall company based in Scotland (nrLochLomond), we can provide the verybest service for the biggest day of yourlife with the choice of two top of therange Chrysler 300c executive salooncars & a range of packages to suiteveryone! For further information call01389 603646/07734039469 or07727052973 or visitwww.strathlevencars.co.uk

Classifieds

Cover shotsDWP 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 thatchoosing just one image was verydifficult. So we’ve decided to feature a selection of some of the best images in a gallery here.

We’ve also featured two of ourfavourite 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.

Christmas Island by AnthonyLowther, The Pension Service,Tyneview Park, Newcastle

Spring lambs by Susan Biedley,Independent Case Examiners Office, Liverpool

The world’s biggest statue in Russia by Chris Waters, Jobcentre Plus Manchester

Tigers at Chessington World ofAdventures by Peter Barrett,Jobcentre Plus Essex

Close up of a dandelion clockby Sean Wells, Business Information Centre, Sheffield

The Doulton Fountain in Glasgow by Rosemary GallagherJobcentre Plus West Midlands




Busted!

DWP staff can report benefit fraud using the PPQ form on the desktop M

Money, money, moneyMassive 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 claimingbenefits – totalling just £6,000.

William Collard, aged 38, from Horsley,Northumberland, made the IncomeSupport claim despite owning housesin the North-East and London. Rentsfrom 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 falsestatement to obtain benefits betweenDecember 2003 and September 2004,saying he had no income, capital orassets. He claims a sleeping disordermeant he was unable to work duringthis time.

But at Newcastle Crown Court hechanged his plea to guilty, following a joint investigation between DWP and Tynedale Council.

The court heard that Collard has nowpaid back the £6,000 in full. JudgeDavid Hodson sentenced him to a two-year conditional discharge and orderedhim to pay an additional £2,000 incourt costs.

Judge Hodson told him: “You have atlast had the good sense to admit thisoffence. This case has got completelyand utterly out-of-hand. You haveincurred further costs and there isabsolutely no reason why you shouldnot pay them.”

Speaking after the case, DWP MinisterJames Plaskitt said: “This is anexcellent example of our success attackling benefit fraud when we workclosely with other agencies such aslocal authorities.

“We are taking a tough line on benefit fraudsters because they steal£20 million a year in the North-Eastalone – money that should be spenton those who really need it.”

You have at last had the goodsense to admit this offence...This case has got completelyand utterly out of hand

“ “

As well as working together with localauthorities, DWP can also access dataheld by banks and utility companies tolook for differences in what a customerdeclares. Since March, this power has been extended to cover creditreference agencies so the Departmentcan now pinpoint benefit cheats whoare living together but claiming to besingle for benefit purposes.



Busted!

Members of the public can report suspicions on the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440

HANI QAISI was a self-declaredbusinessman with a string of successfulproperty deals under his belt. He evenappeared in The Guardian, talkingabout the newsagents he owned inManchester city centre.

But despite making millions it wasn’tenough for Qaisi, from Prestwich,Manchester – he topped up hisearnings with false benefit claims. He also claimed for family membersfraudulently, despite his wife andchildren moving permanently to Jordan in 2004.

In total, Qaisi scammed more than£108,000 in Income Support for himselfand his four children, SevereDisablement Allowance, DisabilityLiving Allowance (higher mobility andmiddle care component) and CouncilTax benefit.

The fraud first came to light after ananonymous tip-off on the TargetingBenefit Thieves website. DWP startedan investigation and soon uncovereddamning evidence.

Investigators found papers linking Qaisito at least 36 property deals. Althoughhe registered the properties under

different names, he used his own bankaccounts to handle the funding andprofits. One of the biggest deals wasthe purchase of the former NorthernHospital in Manchester – bought in1998 for £350,000 and sold for £1.75 million in May 2002.

The court heard that Qaisi had at leastseven undeclared bank accounts in theUK, with an estimated £3.1millionpassing through them. Six moreundeclared accounts were uncoveredin the Middle East, along with twobusiness accounts in the UK.

Qaisi also applied for a £221,000bank loan last year, handing inpaperwork that said he was the sole owner of a newsagent and hadbeen a property dealer for at least five years.

Armed with the evidence, GreaterManchester Police arrested Qaisi inMarch last year. He pleaded guilty toseven charges at Manchester CrownCourt and was given a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence.

A confiscation hearing has yet to befinalised but DWP does intend torecover the money.

Benefit fraudster Hani Qaisi (above). The sale of this former hospital site in Manchester netted him £1.75 million alone (Photo credit: Asian News)

DURING the time Hani Qaisi

was claiming benefits, his

“shopping list” included:

£10,000

Manchester United shares

£50,000

investment in Jersey

£83,585

“Gift” to his son for

property deposits

£51,600

apartment in Dubai

£

£

£

£

Sale: £1,750,000



Quiz time

Quickcrossword

Across

6. Florida7. Kinks9. Scrum10. Fly-leaf12. Mary Poppins14. Eva Longoria18. Sabbath19. Homer21. Rogue22. RonaldoAcross

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 TheWest)' (5)

10. These dogs come in standard,miniature and toy varieties (7)

12. ‘_________ Knocks’, an early TVtalent show (11)

14. They sell salmon, haddock andplaice (11)

18. Victor, the main character in BBCsitcom ‘One Foot In The Grave’ (7)

19. Short, swinging blows in boxingdelivered with a crooked arm (5)

21. Manchester band who had hitsingles such as ‘Sit Down’ and‘Laid’ (5)

22. German measles (7)

Down1. 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 GlobeTheatre (6)

5. The _____, whose best knownsingle 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)

Win a £15 voucher

As usual we were inundated withentries to the crossword in March’sedition of DWPeople.

The winner of the £15 Marks &Spencer voucher was Julie Tonnerfrom CSA Falkirk.

The correct answers were:Across: 1.Navy 8 Orangutans9. Hamilton 10. NASA 12 Jasper14. Aprons 15. Kitten 17. Royale18. Bear 19. Zimbabwe 21.Casablanca 22. Mask

Down: 2. Aquamarine 3. Yogi4. Walter 5. Uganda 6. Stingray7. Asia 11. Sunflowers 13. Peter Pan 16. Nozzle 17. Romans 18. Buck20. Adam

We’ll give a £15 Marks & Spencervoucher for the first correct entrydrawn from the hat. Each monthwe’ll print the answers from theprevious month and the name of the winner.

So don’t delay, fill in your details andanswer the question below to be inwith a chance of winning. Send yourcompleted crossword markedDWPeople Crossword Competition.Using internal mail to:Laura TurveyRoom 650, London, Caxton HouseOr 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 favouritefeature in this issue?______________________________________________________________

Name:........................................................Full address: ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................


‘Sailing on the mouth of the River Tyne’ by John Hansen, Information Services Directorate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne



Documents

DWPeople April 2008 Complete Magazine