Hardship payment details withheld

THE Government has refused to release until after the General Election the number of local people receiving hardship payments because work benefits have been stopped.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher asked the Department for Work and Pensions when the latest figures would be published, since the data he has been given is three years old. A parliamentary answer revealed the information would be released in May.

Mr Meacher said: “It is absolutely disgusting. I don’t think Government is allowed to not publish figures if they are requested by an MP - and I am certain they should not be setting a release date which will save them embarrassment.”

Mr Meacher wants a parliamentary ombudsman to be appointed to help stop the Government hiding information it wants to conceal.