A TORY councillor has hit out at jobseekers who have their benefits cut because they are late for interviews.

Councillor David Wilson said unemployed people should not complain about the situation and that they must should make ‘every effort to attend meetings with the DWP on time’.

He was commenting following an article in last week’s Tele which reported how people’s benefits were being sanctioned by the Department for Work and Pensions for reasons such as being just a few minutes late for an appointment.

The council has just launched a new campaign to make people aware that they can challenge such decisions — but Mr Wilson is far from impressed with it.

He said: “Hard working taxpayers have the right to expect that somebody on benefits makes every effort to attend meetings with the DWP on time and also tries to find a job.

“Genuine reasons for non-attendance can be appealed, meaning that these reasons for not turning up can be heard and, if convincing, benefits restored.” Council leader Stephen McCabe, Inverclyde’s welfare & financial inclusion champion, says that around three quarters of local people who contest sanctions win their appeals if they have been represented by the welfare rights service.

The new campaign, run in conjunction with Inverclyde Community Health and Care Partnership, aims to increase that figure.

It advises people to contact a special helpline to launch a challenge against benefit penalties, which can last up to three years.

SNP deputy group leader Councillor Jim MacLeod is supportive of the council’s anti-sanctions drive and has blasted the DWP punishments as ‘draconian’.

He said: “We are hearing more and more of people having their benefits cut, or in polite terms sanctioned, some times for as little as being a few minutes late for an interview.

“We are all aware that there can be various reasons for claimants being late from illness and family problems to public transport being a few moments late. In my view many of the reasons for taking decisions to sanction people’s benefits are immoral and simply make the situation for those already living on or below the poverty line even worse.

“With benefit sanctions increasing we have seen a rise in individuals and their families being driven towards foodbanks for help.

“Thankfully, more people are now appealing against these draconian sanction decisions by the DWP and this is often assisted by the council’s welfare rights team.” The number for the Inverclyde Advice First helpline is 01475 715299.