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Small Newport passport office to remain, says PCS union Newport passport office to retain 150 jobs
(40 minutes later)
Union leaders say a "small, functioning" passport office may remain in Newport, but they expect confirmation 280 jobs will be lost. The passport office in Newport will continue as a customer support centre, but no longer process passport applications, it has been confirmed.
It is believed staff will be told on Monday the UK Government will press ahead with its cost cutting measures. The Home Office says 150 posts will remain, which is "significantly more than originally proposed".
The PCS union said it was prepared for the news, but there were hopes a small office would remain. The office, which currently employs 300 people, provides passport facilities to customers from all of Wales and much of the south and south west of England.
An Identity and Passport Service spokesman confirmed staff would be told about the office's future on Monday. MPs had warned that closing it would have a significant economic impact.
Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan has previously said 45 jobs would be saved and a new office would be opened. Home Office Minister Damian Green said: "We have always been committed to retaining a passport office to serve the people of Wales and, after listening hard to what people have told us, we will retain 150 posts at Newport, significantly more than originally proposed.
Peter Harris, of the PCS, said: "I think it's right to say 280 jobs will go, but the latest I'm hearing is they may well announce... that a small functioning office will remain. "I appreciate this will be a difficult time for staff in our Newport office, but we have sought to reduce the impact of these difficult decisions... whilst making the savings and efficiencies we need to see across the business.
"Clearly it's still bad news for Newport if 280 jobs are going. "The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) will continue to work closely with other government departments, the local authorities and other agencies to find alternative opportunities and provide support to those people affected."
"After the Ryder Cup last year where it was going to put Newport on the map and create more jobs, if anyone has been to Newport recently they will see it's on its knees, so the announcement today I don't think will be good news." The Newport office will continue to provide a customer centre serving south Wales. It will now also provide services for the IPS regional network.
A committee of MPs has also criticised the move, warning of a "significant" economic impact. Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said the announcement showed the UK government had "listened and responded to the concerns of local people".
"Since the Identity and Passport Service announcement last October, the Wales Office have worked closely in partnership with the IPS to secure as many jobs as possible at Newport," she said.
"Today's announcement by Immigration Minister Damian Green means in addition to the 50 jobs secured for the customer service centre last October, a further 100 jobs will be located at Newport to provide customer services across the IPS network."
Newport West MP Paul Flynn said there would be relief at the announcement. Writing on Twitter, he said: "Still more than 100 jobs going but the brilliant campaign has saved many jobs".
A committee of MPs had criticised the passport office plans, warning of a "significant" economic impact.
The UK government first announced plans to close the centre last October as part of an efficiency drive.The UK government first announced plans to close the centre last October as part of an efficiency drive.
In March the Welsh Affairs Committee urged it to re-examine the criteria on which the decision was based.In March the Welsh Affairs Committee urged it to re-examine the criteria on which the decision was based.
The MPs said they were not convinced savings to the taxpayer would be achieved.The MPs said they were not convinced savings to the taxpayer would be achieved.
Protesters gathered outside the office on Monday to voice their opposition to the planned closure. Protesters gathered outside the office on Monday to voice their opposition to plans.
An Identity and Passport Service notice at the site said it was "currently closed to hold an important staff meeting".An Identity and Passport Service notice at the site said it was "currently closed to hold an important staff meeting".
Mr Harris said he did not accept that the fight to save the office was over.
"It's worth noting that PCS at this moment in time are sending out ballot papers to our members about industrial action," he said.
"The industrial action is about pensions, pay and jobs.
"They [the UK government] haven't listened to when they [workers] have been protesting and campaigning, and perhaps they will be listened to if they take industrial action."
An Identity and Passport Service spokesman said it had completed a consultation over the centre's future.
A spokesman added: "It is only right that our staff are first to hear the outcome of this process.
"We will respond to the consultation on Monday when managers make an announcement to staff."