Wayne David has voiced his opposition to close an office of the Department of Work and Pensions in Caerphilly town.
Caerphilly MP Mr David has written to to the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the closure, part of a wider programme across the country.
He said: “The Claude Road office provides an important ‘backroom’ service. Closure of the office will be a blow to the economy of Caerphilly town and will hugely inconvenience staff if they have to travel further afield to work.
“My concern is that there could be job losses in Caerphilly. I am therefore calling on the government to think again about their closure programme.”
In January, the UK Government announced plans to reform Jobcentre Plus offices and benefit centres, claiming 20% of office space was under-used.
Proposals included merging over 70 smaller Jobcentre Plus offices and closing 27 ‘back office’ buildings from 2018.
One such backroom office on Claude Road, Caerphilly, is set to transfer to a new office on the outskirts of Cardiff in 2020.
Meanwhile, the Jobcentre on Castle Street, Caerphilly, will remain open, and the Blackwood branch will move to a new office in the town.
A DWP spokesman said: “The fact is that more than half of this office space is empty. We’ve been clear that this is about improving the services we deliver, while making best use of taxpayers’ money.
“We are in the process of consulting with staff, and final decisions will be made after that is completed.”
We could also mention the closure of our hospital, police station and magistrates court. All within the last 5 years, all closed with a Labour Assembly government and a Labour council.
I couldn’t agree more, Labour has created all of those cut backs from when they were in government. It looks like Labour has done the same at local level now. Time for a change but i fear that who ever is in power will receive backlash from labour if elected saying it’s their fault.
I agree – its no wonder they keep bleating about how prudent they are with their budget and services – they keep telling us how no jobs have been lost and how services aren’t being cut.
In reality services are being cut by the loss of these services – together with the loss of local jobs ( not evreyone is relocated when these service jobs go ).
Also lets not forget the loss of revenue- although organisations like the NHS and Police Authority do not pay actual Business Rates on premises such as Hospitals and Police Stations – they do pay a contribution in lieu