MSP
for Falkirk West Michael Matheson has today asked Job Centre Plus for a
‘little commonsense’ when it comes to those unable to attend bi-weekly
meetings due to serious illness.

The Sunday Post
today [Sunday] reported that terminally ill cancers patients across
Scotland are being put at risk of having their benefits, which they are
fully entitled to, taken away because they are unable to attend meetings
at their local jobs centres due to their ill health.

Commenting, Michael
Matheson said:

“These are very alarming
reports that have emerged today. It is even more concerning that this
appears to be common practise across the whole of Scotland and not just
an unique case.

“The previous Labour
Government had said that serious ill cancer patients were to be exempt
from these means tests but sadly that appears not to be case.

“A little commonsense would
have stopped this absurd and ridiculous practise which has no doubt
caused a great deal of worry for those threatened with having their
benefits removed, on top of what surely is already a traumatic time for
those involved.

“Job Centre Plus must
now resolve this as soon as possible and offer an apology to those who
have been affected.”