Those who miss appointments won't be sanctioned

Tenants affected by the Grenfell Tower fire have been given a rare show of empathy by job centre officials who say they won’t sanction anyone in the block who misses an appointment.

The decision by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) means normal job centre rules won’t apply to anyone who was registered living in the flats where a deadly fire broke out killing dozens.

A DWP spokesman said: “Anyone affected by the Grenfell Tower fire who misses an appointment or is unable to meet their job-seeking requirements will continue to have their benefits paid in full.

“Our staff are handling people’s claims with sensitivity, understanding and flexibility and we have put extra support in place for anyone who needs it.”

However Joe Delaney – a local resident acting on behalf of the local community – said the DWP only acted when forced to do so.

“I asked staff from the local job centre and DWP staff at Westway Sports Centre to correct this matter. All they did was what everyone in authority has done so far: offer platitudes and ask traumatised people to do the running by calling to beg for this to happen.”

“Once it became clear that there was media attention focused on them, they have finally done the right thing. Why should it take shame for them to act? Where is their humanity?”

It is rare for the DWP to relax rules for anyone not meeting its strict criteria when signing for benefits. Even minor rile breaches can see claimants lose benefits for a minimum of four weeks to three years.