This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-38237216
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Half Glasgow's Jobcentre Plus services to close under DWP plans | Half Glasgow's Jobcentre Plus services to close under DWP plans |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Benefit claimants in Glasgow may have to travel further for employment services under UK government plans to close half the city's 16 job centres. | Benefit claimants in Glasgow may have to travel further for employment services under UK government plans to close half the city's 16 job centres. |
| The Scottish National Party described the proposal as "morally outrageous". | The Scottish National Party described the proposal as "morally outrageous". |
| It said those from the poorest areas would face higher travel and phone costs, making it harder to seek work. | It said those from the poorest areas would face higher travel and phone costs, making it harder to seek work. |
| The Department for Work and Pensions said the closures would save public money and reflected an increase in use of online and telephone services. | The Department for Work and Pensions said the closures would save public money and reflected an increase in use of online and telephone services. |
| Under the plans, there would be no job losses among Jobcentre Plus staff, while claimants would not have to travel further than four miles or 40 minutes. | Under the plans, there would be no job losses among Jobcentre Plus staff, while claimants would not have to travel further than four miles or 40 minutes. |
| Denise Horsfall, DWP work services director for Scotland, said it was now easier for claimants to access Jobcentre services "whether that be in person, online or over phone". | Denise Horsfall, DWP work services director for Scotland, said it was now easier for claimants to access Jobcentre services "whether that be in person, online or over phone". |
| "By bringing together a number of neighbouring jobcentres we're continuing to modernise our operations while ensuring that our premises provide best value to the taxpayer," she said. | "By bringing together a number of neighbouring jobcentres we're continuing to modernise our operations while ensuring that our premises provide best value to the taxpayer," she said. |
| The DWP said there would be a public consultation in areas where customers had to travel more than three miles or more than 20 minutes. | The DWP said there would be a public consultation in areas where customers had to travel more than three miles or more than 20 minutes. |
| SNP Trade Unions spokesman Chris Stephens MP said the closures would affect about 68,000 people in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit. | SNP Trade Unions spokesman Chris Stephens MP said the closures would affect about 68,000 people in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit. |
| "Given the brutal sanctions regime this will mean that the numbers facing sanctions will undoubtedly increase," he said. | "Given the brutal sanctions regime this will mean that the numbers facing sanctions will undoubtedly increase," he said. |
| He claimed Jobcentre closures costs would be placed on the "people it should be assisting - and those already on low incomes" through increased travel costs and reliance on "expensive" 0345 numbers. | He claimed Jobcentre closures costs would be placed on the "people it should be assisting - and those already on low incomes" through increased travel costs and reliance on "expensive" 0345 numbers. |
| He added: "These plans make Glasgow the guinea pig, as I fear the closures announced will be used as a template for further closures across Scotland and the UK." | He added: "These plans make Glasgow the guinea pig, as I fear the closures announced will be used as a template for further closures across Scotland and the UK." |
| A DWP spokeswoman said: "Claimants can phone for free using 0800 numbers, and 0345 numbers are charged at local rates. | A DWP spokeswoman said: "Claimants can phone for free using 0800 numbers, and 0345 numbers are charged at local rates. |
| "The relocations are part of a programme looking at the entire estate across the UK. | "The relocations are part of a programme looking at the entire estate across the UK. |
| "In other parts of the country, some Jobcentres have already moved." | "In other parts of the country, some Jobcentres have already moved." |
| 'Disproportionate cut' | 'Disproportionate cut' |
| Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP said the UK government seemed to be "going out of its way to make the prospect of finding employment even more difficult". | Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP said the UK government seemed to be "going out of its way to make the prospect of finding employment even more difficult". |
| "Moving these centres further away from the people they serve in Glasgow will do nothing to reduce unemployment in the city," he said. | "Moving these centres further away from the people they serve in Glasgow will do nothing to reduce unemployment in the city," he said. |
| At parliamentary questions, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP asked why the UK government was planning to make a "disproportionate" amount of the cuts in Glasgow, when the overall plan across the UK was to cut the estate by 20%. | At parliamentary questions, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP asked why the UK government was planning to make a "disproportionate" amount of the cuts in Glasgow, when the overall plan across the UK was to cut the estate by 20%. |
| Leader of the House David Lidington - who was filling in for Prime Minister Theresa May - said the focus should not be the number of offices, "but about how accessible the offices and services continue to be to the people who need them". | Leader of the House David Lidington - who was filling in for Prime Minister Theresa May - said the focus should not be the number of offices, "but about how accessible the offices and services continue to be to the people who need them". |
| Citizens Advice Scotland also raised concerns about the proposals, and said its research suggested a third of Scottish CAB clients were unable to use a computer due to lack of access or skills. | |
| It said travel could also be difficult for some people due to sickness, disability, cost or availability. | |
| A final decision on the plans is expected to be made within six months, with a view to completion by 31 March 2018. |