A Bradford man who was advised by doctors to rest after undergoing major surgery was told his benefits would be cut if he failed to attend a job centre appointment.

The Department for Work and Pensions has apologised to Graham Ducket, 43, of Thornton Road, who was given medical advice to stay at home for several weeks after an operation on his bowel, which left him with 30 staples across his stomach and an open wound.

But when he rang to cancel a meeting to discuss a back-to-work scheme at Jobcentre Plus in Vicar Lane, Bradford, the following day, he was told he would lose his entitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance if he did not attend.

Mr Ducket, a former wagon driver who has been claiming benefits for a year since being made redundant, said he had informed staff of his operation before it took place.

He said: “The Job Centre had seen letters from the hospital but they still insisted I went in.

“It was as if they didn’t believe me. It put me through quite a lot of stress.

“I still had the staples in and I had only been out of hospital one day.

“I explained over the phone and was told I would have to come down otherwise my benefits would be stopped there and then. I had to get the bus down. I was woozy from the painkillers. I was in tears in the Jobcentre.”

Mr Ducket, who was given a six-week sick note by doctors, has since had his Jobseeker’s Allowance stopped so he can apply for Employment Support Allowance.

A spokesman for the Depart-ment for Work and Pensions said: “We are sorry Mr Ducket was not advised to claim Employment Support Allowance instead of Jobseeker’s Allowance when he first told us of his operation. This has been corrected and he will not have to attend fortnightly signings at the Jobcentre while he is unable to work due to his medical condition.”

e-mail: hannah.baker@telegraphandargus.co.uk