STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

THE deadline for making your views known to oppose plans to shut jobcentres in Glasgow is approaching.

The consultation closes one week from today on January 31.

The DWP is only seeking opinion on three of the eight centres they want to shut, however in question six there is scope in the any additional comments to make your feelings known about the other five.

The plan is to shut Anniesland Jobcentre and move claimants to Partick, close Bridgeton, Easterhouse and Parkhead and move services to Shettleston, Castlemilk and Langside are to be axed and people expected to go instead to Newlands and Maryhill is to shut and be switched to Springburn. Cambuslang is also to shut and be moved to Rutherglen

The DWP is only consulting on Bridgeton, Castlemilk and Maryhill.

The Evening Times has campaigned against the proposals and attracted cross party political support as well as from a range of groups across the city’s communities and from Scottish society.

Trade unions, churches, Citizens Advice Scotland and I, Daniel Blake director, Ken Loach are just some of those backing the campaign and opposing the closures.

We have highlighted the additional travel time and how it could impact on people with children and could lead to sanctions as well as imposing extra costs. We have done what the DWP didn’t and travelled the distances on some of the routes to show how difficult it will be to reach an early morning appointment.

We have also challenged the DWP claims that claimant count in Glasgow has dropped by almost 50% and shown their justification that more people are using the internet for services to be inaccurate in terms of Glasgow.

We have listed the questions below that the DWP want to hear views on.

The consultation is open to all and we would encourage anyone who has an interest in services being retained in the communities in which they are needed to respond.

Question 1: Do you agree with the proposals? What overall comments would you like to make on the proposals?

Question 2: Will the proposals to close Bridgeton, Castlemilk and Maryhill jobcentres have a direct impact on you? If yes, please provide further details.

Question 3: If you currently use Jobcentre Plus services at these jobcentres, what impacts are there on the time and cost taken to travel to your new jobcentre?

Question 4: Are there any other particular impacts of the proposals that DWP should take into account when making a decision?

Question 5: Are there alternative services that could be provided that would be a benefit to some claimants? For example this could be a member of Jobcentre Plus staff based in a community venue to provide help with looking for work.

Please explain your answer, with specific examples and evidence of the potential demand for the service where possible.

Question 6: Please provide any additional comments that you have.

Responses can be e-mailed to Email: plp.communicationsteam@dwp.gsi.gov.uk Or by post to Etta Wright, District Manager’s Office, Public Consultation, 1st Floor, Laurieston Jobcentre, 159- 181 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G41 1PW