Call for minister to visit East End over Jobcentres
Political Correspondent THE Work and Pensions Minister responsible for shutting six Jobcentres in Glasgow has been invited to the city to speak to people directly affected.
Damian Hinds was asked by Glasgow East MP David Linden to come and meet people who use the East End job centres which are set to be shut.
He also wants to introduce Mr Hinds to the staff working as job coaches and others like Citizens Advice staff dealing with people after they have been sanctioned and cut off from benefits.
Mr Linden said the East End is a particular case because four jobcentres will be merging into one in Shettleston.
Parkhead, Easterhouse and Bridgeton will all close under the plan and move into the one existing office in Shettleston.
Mr Linden said there is a specific problem with territorialism and gang related violence which could prevent some young men travelling into a neighbouring area.
He has asked Mr Hinds to come and speak to police in the area who have expressed concern that it would lead to violence.
Although gang-related violence has greatly reduced in the East End it has not been eradicated.
He said the closures would be an “unmitigated disaster”.
Mr Linden said: “I’m hopeful that the Minister has taken on board the unique circumstances in the East End, particularly around transport territorialism.
“I was encouraged that the Minister didn’t reject my invitation to visit Glasgow East and I really hope he will take me up on my offer to visit the Jobcentres earmarked for closure and truly listen to local people so that he can see, first-hand, just how much damage will be done if these plans go ahead.”
The DWP decided to close jobcentres in Anniesland, Bridgeton, Easterhouse, Langside, Maryhill and Parkhead, saving only Castlemilk from the original list of seven.
Mr Linden said Shettleston is the only Jobcentre in the UK that and will have four merged into one after the changes.
He added: “This East End experiment is a disaster waiting to happen.
“It’s very clear this decision has been taken by middle management in the DWP, with little or no engagement or consultation with service users, stakeholders, or even their own front-line staff.
“Against a backdrop of a UKwide estate review, Glasgow East is a very special case. With a stubbornly high unemployment rate and persistent issues with social mobility and deprivation, the DWP really need to give these plans some additional consideration.”