SHADOW work and pensions minister Liam Byrne heard first-hand how the lack of jobs is hitting Burnley.

Labour’s former Chief Secretary to the Treasury also listened to concerns about a lack of jobs in the town.

More than 40 people turned up at the Vanguard Centre yesterday to meet the minister and highlight the main issues affecting their lives.

At the top of the list were the lack of control over benefit claims, the lack of jobs, cuts to public services including the police and the NHS, immigration and the lack of opportunities and educational grants for young people.

Mr Byrne said: “The lack of jobs was a real concern, as well as the need for a tighter control on welfare reform.

“The whole point about being in Burnley was to hear what the people of the town want us to campaign the government about on their behalf.

"I spent some time at Burnley’s Jobcentre.

"The staff reassured me that the majority of people they help do want to get back into work.

"After all, wages are better than benefits.”

This visit was the first of six taking place in Lancashire as part of Labour’s New Politics, Fresh ideas campaign.

Mr Byrne added: “The Government is making cuts to public services too vast and too quick, forcing more people than ever to be out of work.

“We want to win our seat back and keep Burnley’s issues at the heart of all our discussions.”

Burnley was chosen to be the first Lancashire town visited after ministers launched a three-year pilot in the town in October last year to try to put an end to the so-called “benefits culture”.

His visit comes days after shocking new figures revealed nearly a third of claimants re-tested for incapacity benefit were found to be fit for work.