THE Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has vowed not to let industrial action disrupt the services it provides to job seekers and benefit claimants in East Lancashire.

Almost 100,000 workers in three government departments nationwide are in the middle of a 48-hour walkout in a long-running row over pay.

The biggest walkout has hit the DWP, which runs Jobcentre Plus and social security offices. Workers and union representatives from the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) formed small picket lines yesterday morning and early today outside East Lancashire Jobcentres as staff arrived for work.

They have also given their employers an ultimatum to drop a proposed performance-related pay scheme or face High Court action.

But a regional spokesman for the DWP said: "Jobcentre Plus and Social Security offices remain open throughout East Lancashire and Burnley Pension Centre is providing a service for customers."

He said that the strike was pointless as the 2003 pay round was over, and that there was nothing unusual about the 'Performance and Development System', which would go ahead.