Jobcentres in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are closed this week due to a national strike by security guards.

More than 1,400 Jobcentre security guards employed by G4S are staging a week-long strike as part of a pay dispute between the company and the GMB union.

A number of Jobcentres in Staffordshire, including Hanley and Newcastle, have been unable to open as a result of the walk-out. The strike started on Monday (June 17) and will continue until Saturday (June 22) .

Notices in the window of Hanley Jobcentre on Wednesday (June 19) said that it had closed 'due to unforeseen circumstances', and any appointments would be done over the phone. According to the notice, anyone with an urgent query can attend Kidsgrove Jobcentre, in The Avenue, Kidsgrove.

Similarly, people arriving at Newcastle Jobcentre were told that it would be closed to the public all week.

A notice in the window of Hanley Jobcentre said it had closed 'due to unforeseen circumstances' (Google).

The Department for Work and Pensions says that Jobcentres will remain open 'where it is safe to do so', and that payments and telephone services are unaffected. Where a Jobcentre is closed, the DWP says it will contact people to reschedule appointments, or move urgent appointments to alternative locations.

The GMB says that 90 per cent of Jobcentre security guards are only paid the minimum wage, and has accused G4S of making millions in profit with its contract with the DWP.

Eamon O'Hearn, GMB national officer, said: "Job Centre security guards are punched, attacked and savaged in the neck by dogs – just for carrying out their duties. Yet 90 per cent of them struggle to get by on the minimum wage, while G4S trouser millions from the DWP. It's abhorrent and these strikes will keep escalating unless G4S agrees to pay them a wage they can live on."

G4S says it is 'engaging' with the GMB, and claims that since 2022 it has made 12 pay offers to the union, of which only two were taken to a members' ballot.

A G4S spokesperson said: "Our dedicated security colleagues do a great job, sometimes in difficult circumstances. We urge the GMB to present our offer to our employees, which is both above minimum wage and inflation. We are keen to bring this dispute to an amicable conclusion. Our contingency plans, agreed in partnership with DWP have proved highly effective in maintaining a full service, and we continue to adapt them to ensure the safety of DWP locations, employees and the service users."

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