Cabinet minister visits Hove jobcentre

A cabinet minister visited the jobcentre in Hove this afternoon (Friday 21 March).

Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, was met by his fellow Conservative MP, Mike Weatherley, who represents Hove, and jobcentre boss Grahame Widdowson.

Mr Duncan Smith said that the staff at the Boundary Road office, next to Portslade Station, had a good track record of helping people to find work.

About 1,700 people sign on there at the moment.

Mr Duncan Smith was told about the way that the jobcentre worked with Proactive Training which trains people and helps them to find jobs in the creative arts and media industry.

Jobcentre staff also work with City College Brighton and Hove and other local partners, the government minister was told.

He said that the jobcentre was due to be given an upgrade to make it easier for people to look for work online.

Iain Duncan Smith with Steve Harmer-Strange, Geoffrey Theobald, Mike Weatherley, Tony Janio, Dawn Barnett and Nick Lewry

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, leader of the Conservative opposition group on Brighton and Hove City Council met Mr Duncan Smith.

Hangleton and Knoll ward councillors Dawn Barnett and Tony Janio were also present along with local election candidates Nick Lewry and former Portslade councillor Steve Harmer-Strange.