PCS: Jobcentre closures are 'unthinkable and irresponsible'

Tuesday, 19 July 2011 12:04 PM

The planned closure of 20 jobcentres announced to staff this morning (19) by the Department for Work and Pensions is "unthinkable and irresponsible" at a time of high unemployment, says the Public and Commercial Services union.

The plans include six jobcentres in Scotland and four in London, as well as three in the north west and two in the midlands.

There are currently 2.45 million out of work, according to the latest official unemployment figures published last week. The number of people claiming out of work benefits increased by 24,500 to 1.52 million between May and June - the largest rise for more than two years.

The announcement includes terms of reference for an ongoing review of jobcentres and the department says more closures are likely. It also comes just a few weeks after plans to close 17 benefit centres and five Jobcentre Plus call centres were announced.

The union has pledged to campaign to keep these offices open, serving the public. Unlike the benefit and call centre closures, the latest proposal is subject to a six-week public consultation.

The jobcentres under threat are:

Scotland: Chapel St, Aberdeen; Edinburgh City; Gellately St, Dundee; Glasgow Shawlands; Glasgow City; and Glasgow Hillington.

London: Heathrow; Denmark Street; Station Rd, Harrow; and Camberwell.

North west: Manchester Airport; Trafford Centre; and Old Swan, Liverpool.

Midlands: Birmingham Airport; and Leicester Highfields.

Others: Bluewater, Kent; Beeches Rd, Chelmsford; Aylesbury Heron House; Horton St, Halifax; and Caradog House, Cardiff.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "This is an unprecedented withdrawal of our public employment services and is unthinkable and irresponsible when unemployment is so high and the claimant count is rising.

"It has been proved that when public servants in jobcentres are given adequate resources they have the best record in getting people back to work. Instead of closing jobcentres down, the government should tackle the mass unemployment that risks doing long-term damage to our economy."

ENDS

Notes

- For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216

- The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has around 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies, and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK's sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich - on Twitter @janicegodrich

- Follow PCS on Twitter @pcs_union

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