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J J Ellison
UK News

Church slams Job Centre plans for Glasgow

The Church claims proposals by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to merge eight of the sites across Scotland's largest city will affect "some of the city's most deprived areas".

Pauline Edmiston, vice convener of the Church and Society Council, the arm of the Church of Scotland which engages in political and social issues, said: "For many people getting to their local job centre is already very challenging.

"To make that even more difficult would be fundamentally wrong and unjust."

More than 74,000 people would be affected by the proposals which could add up to six miles onto the journey of some Glasgow residents to reach their closest Job Centre, the Church of Scotland fears.

The Scottish Catholic Church has also expressed its concern.

Commenting on the proposal, Archbishop Philip Tartgalia said: "I am very concerned by the Department of Work and Pensions' proposals to close half of Glasgow's Job Centres. Sadly, Glasgow has one of the highest rates of unemployment in Scotland, and suffers high levels of deprivation as a result.  Closing offices in some of the most deprived areas of the city, risks reducing access to support for those who need it most."

"Tens of thousands of people will potentially have to travel further at additional cost to attend their appointments, while risking severe sanctions if they are even a few minutes late. I hope this proposal will be reconsidered in a way which respects the dignity of claimants and meets their needs."

Denise Horsfall, the DWP's 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."

She added: "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."

The plans will be subject to a consultation period and a final decision on them is expected within six months, before any final decision is implemented in 2018.

The Church of Scotland, the Poverty Truth Commission and a range of other groups are writing to Damien Green, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, asking him to scrap the plans.

A DWP Spokesperson added: "The relocations are part of a programme looking at the entire estate across the UK."

No jobs would be lost under the proposals.

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