Delegates back call for rethink on Jobcentres
THE SNP conference has passed a motion calling on the UK Government to abandon plans to shut half of Glasgow’s jobcentres.
The consultation on three of the seven earmarked for closure has ended and a final decision is awaited.
Chris Stephens, Glasgow South West MP, said the plan was making it more difficult for people to access help to find work and put the burden of austerity on the poorest.
He said: “What we are seeing is a vicious circle where access to advice and support is being denied to those who need it most.”
The MP said he and his colleagues had submitted more than 100 questions, but got few answers in return.
He said there have been debates in the House of Commons chamber and in Westminster hall where UK government ministers were challenged on the proposals.
Mr Stephens said: “How does someone find work if they can’t access a Jobcentre? Many people need specialist assistance.”
The motion, proposed by Mr Stephens, Employability Minister Jamie Hepburn and the Maryhill and Springburn branch, stat- ed there has been li mited consultation and said the government should “abandon its plans and rethink its strategy around Jobcentres.”
It states it is “concerned about the adverse impact these proposals would inevitably have on local people and communities.”
The conference agreed that the closures would have a disproportionate impact on people with disabilities and on low incomes.”
Mr Hepburn said: “There is no rationale for these closures, only that lease arrangements are coming to an end.
He added: “Let’s send a message to London. We will not stand for these closures and the UK Government must re-think them.”
The motion was passed unanimously by the hundreds of delegates in the hall.
The DWP wants to close centres in Anniesland, Bridgeton, Castlemilk, Easterhouse, Maryhill, Newlands and Parkhead.
The Evening Times Hands Off Our Jobcentres campaign has opposed the closures and campaigned for them to be rejected.
We have highlighted the distance and cost of people forced to travel up to an eight mile round trip to reach the alternative centres.
DWP ministers and officials have admitted the aim is to reduce costs by eliminating unused floor space by closing centres and transferring them to other large sites.