Strike hits job centres and benefits offices

LONDON (Reuters) - Civil servants at the Department for Work and Pensions started a two-day strike over pay on Thursday which their union said had closed offices and caused widespread disruption to services.

But a department spokeswoman said all offices had stayed open and that payments to claimants had not been affected.

"The (department) has taken the necessary steps to minimise disruption to our customers and we are confident that our services and payments will be maintained," she said.

Up to 80,000 staff at Jobcentres, benefits offices, the Pension Service and the Child Support Agency were due to take part, the Public and Commercial Services Union said.

It said over 85 percent of its members participated in the industrial action, which is due to be followed by an overtime ban.

The union said members were protesting over the imposition of a pay offer which would mean two-fifths of staff receiving a zero percent increase next year.

"The massive support shown today shows that low paid staff ... are not prepared to see their wages cut or be accused of being the cause of inflation when they are the victims," said PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka.

The Department for Work and Pensions said it was disappointed by the strike.

"The pay award we have implemented is a good one which particularly benefits our lowest paid staff and those at the lower end of their pay scales," it said.

(Reporting by Tim Castle; Editing by Steve Addison)