'We work in middle of rows of empty desks'

Frontline staff at Job-Centres and benefit offices will be among those hardest hit.

Robin Smith, 35, a new claims assessor at Catford JobCentre, said: "If you look at our office now, you see empty desks. Staff are not replaced as they leave, and we expect that to escalate following yesterday's announcement.

"It's a real threat. We try to do the best we can in difficult circumstances but we need more staff, not fewer. New claimants have to wait a week for an interview. A year ago, it was three days."

New claims assessors earn from ?16,000 to ?23,000 a year. Staff have already seen their roles change in earlier rounds of efficiency measures.

Jobseekers who want to apply for vacancies advertised in the offices are no longer helped by staff on site but told to ring a call centre in Wales.