Question reference: S5O-00517
- Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 14 December 2016
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Current status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 22 December 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed closure of Jobcentre Plus offices in Glasgow will have on vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the city.
Answer
In advance of the conclusion of the DWP’s consultation on this issue, we don’t yet know the impact of the UK Governments proposed closures will have on vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Glasgow. However, we are particularly concerned that the Department for Work and Pensions has not given sufficient consideration to this matter.
We believe it could be more difficult for people to access Jobcentre Plus services in the city and travel costs for those required to register unemployed on a weekly or fortnightly basis could increase. Disabled people and those without access to internet services could be particularly disadvantaged by the changes.
Given the challenges Glasgow faces in terms of unemployment levels – particularly in its most deprived areas, I am pressing UK Ministers to reconsider these proposals, and to consult properly, not just in Glasgow, but across the whole of Scotland.