HALF of Glasgow’s Job Centres are to be shut, sparking claims people in poorer areas will be worse off.
The Department of Work and Pensions has plans to shut offices across the city ahead of a nationwide programme.
It will mean people having to travel further to make appointments and it is claimed more will have to use expensive 0345 phone numbers to speak to an adviser.
The centres to close are Castlemilk and Langside Jobcentres which will move to Newlands Jobcentre;
Parkhead, Easterhouse and Bridgeton Jobcentres will move to Shettleston Jobcentre.
Anniesland Jobcentre will move to Partick Jobcentre; Maryhill Jobcentre will move to Springburn Jobcentre; and Cambuslang Jobcentre will move to Rutherglen Jobcentre.
The DWP said there will be no job losses and Govan Drumchapel and Laurieston will be unaffected.
A city politician opposed to the closures said it was “morally outrageous”.
Chris Stephens MP, SNP spokesperson for Trade Unions said: “This decision is simply, morally outrageous. It will result in the poorest communities not being serviced by a Job Centre and make it even harder for those seeking employment to get support. Thousands of people will now have to travel further at additional cost to attend their appointments.
“Approximately 68,000 people in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit in Glasgow will be impacted by these closures. Given the brutal sanctions regime this will mean that the numbers facing sanctions will undoubtedly increase.”
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 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.”
A final decision on these plans is expected to be made within six months, with a view to completion by 31 March 2018.
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