THE government has come under fire following claims it planned covertly to cut half of the Jobcentre Plus offices in Glasgow to save money.

Some Glasgow MPs have said that they only found out about the planned closures through a Department for Work and Pensions whistleblower.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said the move which will see the closure of eight jobcentres, will also provide more efficient use of DWP premises.

DWP officials say Castlemilk and Langside centres will move to Newlands jobcentre; Parkhead, Easterhouse and Bridgeton will move to Shettleston jobcentre; Anniesland will move to Partick jobcentre; Maryhill will move to Springburn jobcentre and Cambuslang will move to Rutherglen jobcentre.

The Herald:

At risk:   Job Centre in Langside

Glasgow currently has a total of 16 jobcentres but the move will reduce the number to eight.

It is expected to impact on some 68,000 people in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit.

The department says no jobs will be lost and Jobcentre Plus offices in Govan, Drumchapel and Laurieston will remain open.

But the move has been widely condemned, and the SNP for Glasgow South Stewart McDonald, who has two of the threatened job centres in his constituency, said there was particular concern about how the plans were being actioned.

"That Glasgow's MPs had to find out about these planned closures from a DWP whistleblower adds insult to injury. The DWP has made no contact with the city's MPs, or the Scottish Government, in order to allow us appropriate scrutiny and consultation," he said.

The Herald:

"Even more worrying is that they plan to close Langside Job Centre without consulting the public at all.

“I am seeking urgent meetings with the managers of the Job Centres earmarked for closure to discuss these proposals, and, along with my colleagues I will be fighting these plans.”

He added: “This is quite simply unacceptable. If these plans go ahead, the DWP will be in breach of their own guidelines which say an alternative must be within 15 minutes travelling distance by public transport and within three miles of the office being closed."

Citizens Advice Scotland raised concerns about people'a access to support as many people will not be able to use the internet as an alternative.

CAS research showed that one in three 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.

The charity said these people tend to be among the most deprived, and the most financially vulnerable and they rely on access to the face-to-face support that job centres provide.

CAB research has also shown that travel is difficult for some people, particularly those who are sick or disabled, or those who live in areas where public transport is expensive or inadequate. CAS spokesman Rob Gowan said:“Our concern is that these proposed closures are very extensive, in a city which already has a high number of people who need help to find work and practical access to social security."

Scottish National Party Westminster leader Angus Robertson said the move was "morally outrageous" and would result in the poorest communities not being serviced by a job centre.

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Speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions, he pointed out that while the DWP is facing a 20 percent reduction in its estate, Glasgow is facing a 50 percent cut.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, which represents social security workers in the DWP, described the 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."

Denise Horsfall, DWP work services director for Scotland, said: "At the heart of everything we do is our customers and we've made it easier than ever for people to access our suite of specialist services to find work and get the support that they need, whether that be in person, online or over the phone.

"By bringing together a number of neighbouring jobcentres we're continuing to modernise our operations while ensuring that our premises provide best value to the taxpayer."

The proposals form part of the People and Locations programme which was announced in the autumn statement last year.

A final decision on the plans is expected to be made within six months, with a view to completion by March 31 2018.

A DWP spokesman said “MPs, MSPs and other stakeholders were formally notified of our proposals today (Wednesday)  following communication to our own staff early today. 

"Scottish Government officials have been aware for some months of our broad strategy and the public consultation is now open, in areas where customers may have to travel more than three miles or more than 20 minutes, to help inform the final decision and planning.”