Union bosses’ anger as ten Jobcentres are set to close

TEN Scottish Jobcentres are to close as jobseekers move their job searches online.

Six Jobcentres will be axed in Glasgow, some smaller Jobcentres will be merged with larger ones, while others will move to local government premises.

The Department for Work and Pensions first announced a shake-up last year and has now said 21 of its 119 offices north of the Border will close.

The move was criticised by the Scottish Government, Labour and the PCS Union, which represents Jobcentre workers.

However, the DWP said the move reflects a near record low in Scottish unemployment and increasing use of online claims.

It added: ‘Our aim is to reduce underutilisation and save money, but also to provide a better service to our customers. In Scotland, we are moving towards a future of bigger, more modern and fully

‘Vulnerable Scots will be pushed into crisis’

digital offices, and our future estate will consist of 98 offices – a small overall reduction of 21 sites.

‘We will keep 85 Jobcentres, a reduction of ten, and the number of administrative offices will change from 24 to 13.

‘We will also keep ten CHDAs [centres for health and disability assessments], moving three of them into nearby sites.’

PCS national officer Lynn Henderson said: ‘PCS utterly condemns DWP for proceeding with these office closures.

‘This Tory Government is abandoning unemployed, sick and disabled people, making it harder for them to access the service they need, and putting Jobcentre jobs at risk.’

Employability and Training Minister Jamie Hepburn said the closures could ‘push vulnerable Scots further into crisis’, adding: ‘This makes it even more difficult for people to visit their Jobcentre to try to find employment.’

Scottish Labour MP Paul Sweeney called the decision ‘nonsensical’. He said: ‘Scottish Labour condemns this nonsensical decision.

‘The UK Government should be making it easier to get into the jobs market, not harder.’