Staff could face potential redundancy ahead of a closure, a union has warned.
11:04, 21 Nov 2025Updated 11:00, 24 Nov 2025
DWP sending out letters which are ‘a new low’ even for them
Staff at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have hit out at a “new low” from the benefits and welfare department. DWP Jobcentre staff could face potential redundancy ahead of a closure, a union has warned.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union said more than 80 jobs are at risk at the Lincoln City Hall site and its members will take strike action from 1 December until 2 January.
Ian Fisher, the union branch chair said: “To announce redundancies only after the escalation of industrial action is a new low for the DWP, who have failed to have any empathy throughout this whole process.”
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The DWP said redeployment for staff had been a “first priority” and a voluntary redundancy scheme is in place.
On Wednesday, a DWP letter said there was a possibility “at risk” staff could lose their jobs if an alternative role or department was not found.
The national services leader wrote: “I understand that changes like this can cause upset and uncertainty.
“Please be assured that I, and the Department, remain committed to supporting all impacted colleagues throughout this time.”
The move has been criticised by the PCS which said previous denials of redundancy had “prolonged uncertainty and stress”.
Mr Fisher said: “Colleagues have repeatedly asserted their preference for continued employment over redundancy pay-outs, making clear they want jobs, not compensation.”
Fran Heathcote, of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), said members were “being cast aside with little remorse” despite “giving decades of dedicated service to the DWP”.
Bradley Wall, secretary of Lincoln and District Trades Council, said the decision to strike showed “the strength, pride and determination of Lincoln’s workforce”.
“Closing this office would be a betrayal, not just of the staff but of Lincolnshire itself,” he added.
The DWP previously said the workers affected did not see customers face to face and the changes were part of a move towards “fewer, larger, more economically viable sites”.