Scottish job centre closures affect carers

Scottish jobcentre closures will have a disproportionately high adverse impact on women and carers, according to impact assessments obtained under Freedom of Information legislation.

Labour has obtained documents assessing the impact of closures on 12 Scottish centres which suggest 11 of them will affect women and carers. Labour MP Paul Sweeney said the documents showed the UK government’s Department for Work and Pensions was “well aware” of the damage the closures would cause. A DWP spokesperson said: “These changes reflect the fact that more people access their benefits online resulting in many of our buildings being underused. T

“They enable us to deliver better value for the taxpayer – saving over £135 million a year, for the next 10 years.”