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| DVLA offices in Wales set to close and centralise in Swansea | DVLA offices in Wales set to close and centralise in Swansea |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Plans to close 39 regional Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency offices and centralise services at the DVLA's headquarters in Swansea have been unveiled. | Plans to close 39 regional Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency offices and centralise services at the DVLA's headquarters in Swansea have been unveiled. |
| It is thought around 400 jobs could be relocated to the city. | It is thought around 400 jobs could be relocated to the city. |
| A consultation has started with 1,213 UK staff, including 77 in Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea. | A consultation has started with 1,213 UK staff, including 77 in Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea. |
| The UK government says it could save £28m a year but union leaders called it "devastating". | The UK government says it could save £28m a year but union leaders called it "devastating". |
| The DVLA, which keeps driver and vehicle records, employs a total of 6,116. | The DVLA, which keeps driver and vehicle records, employs a total of 6,116. |
| About 5000 work at the long-established Swansea headquarters and it is thought around 400 jobs could be created there, including relocations. | |
| Ten of the 39 regional centres include enforcement centres which carry out a range of back-office duties relating to tax and insurance offences. | Ten of the 39 regional centres include enforcement centres which carry out a range of back-office duties relating to tax and insurance offences. |
| These would close as well. | These would close as well. |
| Roads Minister Mike Penning said he expected the centres to close by the end of 2013. | Roads Minister Mike Penning said he expected the centres to close by the end of 2013. |
| "This is a major step change which will make dealing with the DVLA easier and quicker for motorists and businesses up and down the country," he said. | "This is a major step change which will make dealing with the DVLA easier and quicker for motorists and businesses up and down the country," he said. |
| "Centralising the DVLA's services is the first crucial step towards making more of its transactions available online, allowing people to deal with the DVLA at their chosen time and place. | "Centralising the DVLA's services is the first crucial step towards making more of its transactions available online, allowing people to deal with the DVLA at their chosen time and place. |
| "This will mean quicker turnarounds and meet our customers' growing needs." | "This will mean quicker turnarounds and meet our customers' growing needs." |
| The consultation with staff has already begun. | The consultation with staff has already begun. |
| DVLA employs 77 staff in its three regional offices in Wales with 12 in Bangor, 35 at Llanishen in Cardiff, and 30 in Swansea. | |
| 'Insulting and devastating' | |
| The Public and Commercial Services union said it feared that despite the consultation the decision had already been taken. | |
| It warned the closures would wipe out the high-quality face-to-face services provided to the public and the motor trade. | It warned the closures would wipe out the high-quality face-to-face services provided to the public and the motor trade. |
| General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "DVLA senior managers have previously denied this is what they were planning, so to announce it just two weeks before Christmas is insulting and devastating." | General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "DVLA senior managers have previously denied this is what they were planning, so to announce it just two weeks before Christmas is insulting and devastating." |
| Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said she was pleased the Swansea headquarters could become more central in delivering services for the whole of the UK. | Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said she was pleased the Swansea headquarters could become more central in delivering services for the whole of the UK. |
| "The proposed review of DVLA services is important in providing the right choice and flexibility for motorists to access services they require," she said. | "The proposed review of DVLA services is important in providing the right choice and flexibility for motorists to access services they require," she said. |
| Byron Davies AM, Conservative transport spokesman, said it was right to look at efficiency. | Byron Davies AM, Conservative transport spokesman, said it was right to look at efficiency. |
| "The DVLA is a major local employer and it is welcome that the Conservative-led coalition is seeking to consolidate DVLA operations in south Wales," he said. | "The DVLA is a major local employer and it is welcome that the Conservative-led coalition is seeking to consolidate DVLA operations in south Wales," he said. |
| But Cardiff North assembly member Julie Morgan said she was disappointed up to 35 jobs could be lost at the DVLA's Llanishen office. | But Cardiff North assembly member Julie Morgan said she was disappointed up to 35 jobs could be lost at the DVLA's Llanishen office. |
| Pharmaceutical products | Pharmaceutical products |
| "I am very concerned that this local service could be withdrawn, and feel the UK government could have done much more to keep the various stakeholders informed about their plans," she said. | "I am very concerned that this local service could be withdrawn, and feel the UK government could have done much more to keep the various stakeholders informed about their plans," she said. |
| Hywel Williams, Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon, said it was "very unwelcome news" in Bangor. | |
| "The timing of this announcement is horrendous - a week or two before Christmas - especially as plans were leaked more than a year ago," he added. | "The timing of this announcement is horrendous - a week or two before Christmas - especially as plans were leaked more than a year ago," he added. |
| "This will mean a reduction in service to the public and a hit to the local economy." | "This will mean a reduction in service to the public and a hit to the local economy." |
| Meanwhile, 36 jobs are under threat at a company in Hengoed, Caerphilly which makes pharmaceutical products. | |
| Norgine Pharmaceuticals Limited, based in Tiryberth, has revealed it has started consultations with staff in quality control and manufacturing which will end in March. | Norgine Pharmaceuticals Limited, based in Tiryberth, has revealed it has started consultations with staff in quality control and manufacturing which will end in March. |
| The firm employs about 350 people. | The firm employs about 350 people. |