Skillsmatch hours an embarrassment say Liberal Democrats

2.24.00am GMT Mon 28th Dec 2009

Out to lunch and never on Fridays...

Councillors from the Liberal Democrat group in Tower Hamlets today criticised the opening hours of Skillsmatch, the Council's "flagship job brokerage scheme". The main office in Canary Wharf closes for 2 and a half hours each day and all day Friday.

"It's not good enough" said Liberal Democrat Councillor Azizur Rahman Khan. "In a time when there is an increase in unemployment we need Skillsmatch to be open full time and every day".

Liberal Democrat Council group leader, Cllr Stephanie Eaton added "I am embarrassed that the Skillsmatch office is not open full time every day and at weekends. Finding jobs for our residents is a full time job. Skillsmatch is just not pulling its weight with these ridiculous and unprofessional office hours, it just looks like we don't care about helping people into work."

Councillor Stephanie Eaton raised the issue of Skillsmatch opening hours with the Lead member for Employment and Skills at an challenge session of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He promised to investigate. Liberal Democrat Councillors are campaigning to have the store opened full time on week days and Saturday.