Jobseekers don't have to sign on for benefits

From today jobseekers will no longer have to sign on in person to collect their benefit money.

The Department of Social Care is closing Markwell House until after Christmas while it undergoes refurbishment work.

It means those people claiming Job Seekers Allowance will not have to sign on every two weeks.

However people are being told they must still record all the steps they have taken in actively seeking employment and this will be checked on.

Minister Chris Robertshaw says it is necessary to close the office: