Oxford-based job centre and benefit workers were today expected to strike again as part of a long-running pay dispute.

The 48-hour walkout was to start this morning, with picket lines outside the Floyds Row benefits office and Jobcentre Plus in Worcester Street.

Staff at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) administration office at Oxford Business Park, Cowley, were also planning to take part.

The strike is part of nationwide action organised by the Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union and follows a two-day strike in February and a work-to-rule campaign.

Kate Douglas, joint PCS branch secretary for DWP in Oxfordshire, told the Oxford Mail earlier this month that the union had been left with no choice but to strike as talks had failed to resolve the disagreement.

She said workers were angry that the DWP had offered a below-inflation rise of 2.6 per cent and announced plans to introduce a performance appraisal system.

The union wants a £1,000 rise for all staff and improvements in maternity and holiday leave.