The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is facing renewed industrial action and calls to reverse a controversial decision, as staff at its Lincoln service centre prepare for a further two weeks of strikes in the new year.
Strike Dates Announced Amid Ongoing Dispute
Workers at the Lincoln service centre, who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, will walk out for two weeks starting on January 5, 2026. The strike action is scheduled to continue until January 16, 2026, marking a significant escalation in a long-running dispute over the planned closure of the office.
This announcement follows several weeks of strike action already taken by staff this year. The union has sharply criticised the DWP's rationale for the closure, which the department states is a cost-cutting measure.
Union Slams Closure as Financially Illogical
The PCS union has challenged the economic sense of the closure, arguing that the financial calculations do not add up. The union claims the cost of redundancy payments would cover the office's rental costs for an estimated 16 years.
Ian Fisher, the PCS union branch chair, accused the DWP of reaching "a new low" by announcing redundancies only after industrial action escalated. He stated that colleagues have consistently expressed a desire to keep their jobs rather than accept redundancy payouts.
"Members see little sense in closing the service centre," the union said in a statement. It also warned of the "immeasurable" cost of losing experienced staff, particularly at a time when the DWP is expected to oversee major changes to the social security system.
DWP Response and Impact on Services
In response, a DWP spokesperson said the department's focus remains on supporting staff through the transition. Redeployment is described as the "first priority," with a voluntary redundancy scheme available for those who cannot be moved to other roles.
The spokesperson sought to reassure the public, stating: "The closure of Lincoln City Hall Service and Support Centre will have no impact on Lincoln Jobcentre, which remains fully operational, nor on the vital services we deliver to customers."
Despite these assurances, the union contends that the government cannot deliver its planned transformation of welfare services without its experienced and committed workforce. The stage is now set for a disruptive start to 2026 in Lincoln as the strike action looms.
