THERE has been condemnation of plans by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to close half of its jobcentres in Glasgow, a move the SNP’s Westminster leader Angus Robertson said will “add misery” to the lives of tens of thousands of struggling Scots.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, he demanded to know why the Government was slashing services by 50 per cent in Glasgow compared to 20 per cent nationally.
“Some of the most deprived communities in the country are in Glasgow, and today we learnt, apparently, that the Government plans to close job centres in those very communities – in Parkhead, in Bridgeton, in Easterhouse, in Castlemilk, in Langside, in Anniesland, in Cambuslang and Maryhill,” said Robertson.
“Is it true that the Government is planning to close these important offices and add misery to the many tens of thousands of people in Glasgow who currently use these centres?”
David Lidington, the Leader of the Commons standing in for Theresa May during a trip to Bahrain, said all departments had to look at the number of offices they have and he would get the Work and Pensions Secretary to give him details of the closures.
But Robertson retorted: “That’s not good enough… What the DWP is planning to do to Glasgow is to cut it by 50 per cent. Why is this Government planning to disproportionately cut vital jobcentres in some of the most deprived communities?”
Lidington said: “The key element in any such decision that a Government department has to make is not the raw number of offices that there should be, but about how accessible the offices and the services which they provide continue to be to the people who need to use them.”
A DWP spokeswoman later added: “With the leases on many of our buildings coming up for renewal, and many of them being under-used, it is right that we review what offices we need in the future.
“Glasgow is in a unique position within the Jobcentre Plus estate as it has a greater density of smaller offices compared to other large towns and cities in Scotland.
“The changes will mean we can offer a modern and efficient service for our customers and, at the same time, save taxpayers’ money.”
Chris Stephens, the SNP’s trade union spokesman, said more cuts were likely to follow: “These plans make Glasgow the guinea pig as I fear the closures announced will be used as a template for further closures across Scotland and the UK.”
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, which represents social security workers in the DWP, described plans as “short-sighted”.
PCS national officer Lynn Henderson said: “No-one should be in any doubt that these proposals will have a devastating impact on the worst socio-economic areas in the city of Glasgow. Our very clear view is that DWP needs to pause on these proposals and subject them to both Parliamentary and public scrutiny.”
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) said the closures will impact most on those who are already struggling and the many people who cannot use the internet to access services.
“Our research shows that around one third of Scottish CAB clients are unable to use a computer to apply for work or benefits, due to either lack of access or lack of skills,” said CAS spokesman Rob Gowans.
“These people tend to be among the most deprived, and the most financially vulnerable. They rely on access to the face-to-face support that job centres provide.”
Scottish Greens’ co-convener, Patrick Harvie said: “While it’s good that the DWP says no jobs will be lost as a result of this, staff will look for more certainty on what their future working arrangements will be, especially as we get closer to Christmas.
“For those out of work, the UK Government seems to be going out of its way to make the prospect of finding employment even more difficult.”
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