Job Centre axe outcry

‘Unacceptable’says MSP

Broxburn Job Centre is shutting in a move that critics say will make it harder for unemployed people to find work.

The DWP has confirmed the town’s Job Centre Plus office will close and move to Livingston, meaning jobseekers will now have to travel there for help.

A DWP spokeswoman said the move reflects a near record low in the Scottish unemployment rate and increasing use of online claims but critics argue the moves will disadvantage the most vulnerable people.

The spokeswoman said: “Our aim is to reduce under-utilisation 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 digital offices, and can confirm that our future estate will consist of 98 offices – a small overall reduction of 21 sites.

“We will keep 85 Jobcentres – a reduction of 10 – and the number of administrative offices will change from 24 to 13.

“We will also keep 10 CHDAs (centres for health and disability assessments) moving three of them into nearby existing sites.”

SNP MSP, Fi o na Hyslop called the move “unacceptable”.

She continued: “The UK Gov e r n m e nt ’ s decision to close the Job Centre in Broxburn will disproportionately disadvantage unemployed people in West Lothian, pushing our most vulnerable people in society into further crisis and uncertainty.

“The decision to force those who are seeking work to spend more money by travelling further to a job centre is counterproductive.

“I am disappointed that the UK Government has made no attempt to speak to the Scottish Government Minister for Employability, Jamie Hepburn, before making this decision and allowing local representatives to make the case to retain the job centre in Broxburn.

“West Lothian has suffered more than most in terms of job losses in recent years. For the DWP to close the job centre in Broxburn, the very place fighting to get people back into work, is simply unacceptable.”

And Labour MSP Neil Findlay added: “This is really bad news for the east side of West Lothian. Broxburn is a growing town and is just recovering after the devastating loss of Hall’s a few years back.

“That recovery took a lot of work from many agencies including Job centre staff who helped people back into work.

“These days many jobs are short term and insecure so people need help quickly when contracts end. The closure of job centres is a really backward step. I urge the Tory Government to think again.”