Spin, spin, spin: DWP admits inventing quotes from fake’benefits claimants’ for leaflet


“The Department for Work and Pensions makes admission following FoI request from Welfare Weekly about leaflet featuring bogus sickness benefit claimants

The DWP made the admission in response to a freedom of information request from the news website Welfare Weekly. The leaflet was taken down from the DWP’s site and replaced with one that illustrated Zac and Sarah only in silhouette, along with a note clarifying: “The people in this factsheet aren’t real. We’ve used these stories to show how sanctions can work in practice.”

… In its response to the FoI request, the DWP said: “The photos used are stock photos and along with the names do not belong to real claimants. The stories are for illustrative purposes only.

“We want to help people understand when sanctions can be applied and how they can avoid them by taking certain actions. Using practical examples can help us achieve this.”

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/aug/18/dwp-admits-making-up-positive-quotes-from-benefits-claimants-for-leaflet

So, not real people and not real stories. Thank goodness for the Freedom of Information Act for revealing this!

Network Rail have their problems with a larger Cranbrook too

As a result of increased patronage [NOTE: WE HOPE THEY MEAN FOOTFALL!!], Network Rail could be forced to reduce train line speed in direct correlation to the increase in vehicular and pedestrian traffic using a crossing. This would have severe consequences for the timetabling of trains and would also effectively frustrate any future train service improvements. This would be in direct conflict with strategic and government aims of improving rail services. Therefore the location of proposed new development is an important consideration for Network Rail and should form part of any initial appraisal of future development sites. In this regard NR maintain their objection to any development being allowed north of the railway line as this would clearly result in additional traffic using the level crossing.

Skypark developers not happy about more employment land at Cranbrook – and they are none too keen on Gypsies and Travellers

Some snippets from their objection:

“Build out Rate

The Skypark site was granted outline consent in 2010 for a mix of B1 and B2 uses (06/3300/MOUT) with a significant number of conditions and major package of Section 106 obligations. The reality therefore is that it has taken 5 years to secure the first B1/2 occupier on the site suggesting the site will take at least 25 years to complete

Over Supply and Viability:

Should EDDC propose further employment land this will lead to an overprovision of space in the market. In simple terms, occupiers will go to alternative new greenfield sites instead of locating to Skypark. A key message that SDP wishes to deliver is the fundamental risk that over supply has on the market. Quite simply an over provision of sites will suppress values which in turn renders sites unviable and therefore undeliverable. This will stagnate the delivery of employment floorspace and lead to the loss of occupiers from the
District as sites will not be prepared, or speculative accommodation built. The addition of further land at Cranbrook will therefore further undermine delivery potential and the quality and sustainability of buildings. There is already significant employment land immediately available within the Cranbrook area. It has been demonstrated in several studies commissioned by EDDC that there is a substantial supply of employment land available during the plan period and beyond and therefore there is absolutely no need for further employment land for demand that could be met in a sustainable environment at Skypark.

Gypsy and Traveller Provision:

We note reference is made to provision of Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation within the DPD list of issues. SDP is concerned that if allocation of such provision within Cranbrook is explored then this would need to be considered carefully in terms gva.co.uk of impact on the commercial attractiveness of Skypark given the Council’s own objective of it being a high quality employment development.
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