To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps she has taken to ensure that Jobcentre Plus staff are signposting people in urgent need of assistance to foodbanks and other community and charitable organisations which provide assistance for those in financial hardship. (278615)

[holding answer 8 June 2009]: Making sure people get the help they need is at the heart of Jobcentre Plus business. A key part of this involves working closely with local partner organisations and signposting people to appropriate sources of help, including charitable organisations and others that provide support services for people experiencing financial hardship.

As part of this Jobcentre Plus is currently developing an additional process for signposting Social Fund customers, who have been refused a crisis loan for living expenses, to relevant local organisations that are willing to provide assistance. To facilitate this process, Jobcentre Plus is identifying and collating details of these organisations to make sure Jobcentre Plus officers are able to signpost people to appropriate sources of help.