Universal Credit row sees man barricade Jobcentre entrance over 12p

A man on Universal Credit barricaded the entrance to a Jobcentre because they would not give him money to set up a dog grooming market stall.

A furious Steve Bailey, of Bolton, drove his Land Rover onto the pavement outside the Jobcentre Plus yesterday morning.

The 56-year-old told BoltonNews that he asked for money to set up a dog grooming parlour in Bolton Market.

He reportedly claimed he could not pay for the fee to establish a stall using his Universal Credit payments as he has debts to pay "all over the place".

Mr Bailey said: "The Jobcentre is supposed to help you get into work, I need money to get into work."

In protest, Mr Bailey said he was barricading the Jobcentre doors, saying "I only have 12p in my pockets".

He added that 60 per cent of the profits he would make grooming pets would be donated to charity.

Mr Bailey said he had also been given a fine after leaving his car beside the Jobcentre in a bay, telling a car park attendant he could not pay the ticket fee.

Mr Bailey was approached by two police officers and remained outside the building until approximately 11.30am.

A DWP spokesperson said: “We are aware of the incident outside Bolton Jobcentre yesterday.

"Jobcentre staff are already supporting the individual involved in a number of ways and we are meeting him soon to discuss his business idea.”