ALMOST two dozen Jobcentres will shut for good in weeks, affecting households on benefits.
GMB Union initially warned the move puts 50 jobs at risk, but the government has since refuted these claims.
PAWe’ve listed all the Jobcentres set to close below[/caption]
It told The Sun that no staff will be made redundant.
Instead, all staff affected will be moved to work in other Jobcentres close by.
Eamon O’Hearn, GMB national officer, previously said: “The proposal to close DWP sites will not only cost jobs but will undermine Government rhetoric about growing the labour force.
“Closures will undoubtedly impact on services and represent a screeching U-turn on the original programme to extend the reach of DWP into communities.
“GMB members, who work as security at these sites, will have their jobs and futures put at risk.
But the closures only affect Jobcentres which were set up temporarily during the pandemic to help ensure social distancing guidelines were followed.
The DWP has said that the decommissioning of these additional temporary sites, where they are no longer required, will not reduce our levels of service or access to face-to-face appointments going forward.
A DWP spokesperson said: “To continue providing our essential employment support and other services in a way that is cost-efficient for the taxpayer, we are phasing out these temporarily leased sites and staff and all customer services will return to the nearby established jobcentre.
“The closing of these temporary sites will not reduce our levels of service, or access to face-to-face appointments.
“Customers will return to being served by their established Jobcentre and there will be no reduction in the number of Work Coaches serving customers as a result.”
These temporary Jobcentres will close within weeks and all are expected to shut by the end of March.
Here’s a full list of the Jobcentres set to close their doors forever:
AylesburyBathBlythBurnleyDundeeGatesheadHalifaxInvernessIpswichKetteringLeedsLincolnLondon HackneyLondon Kentish TownLondon Sutton CarewLondon TootingStevenageSunderlandSwindonWigan
The DWP already operates 639 permanent Jobcentres filled with work coaches to help and support those claiming legacy benefits and Universal Credit.
Last year, the DWP announced the closure of 10 “poorer quality” Jobcentres and many were merged to help offer customers a better level of service.
Jobcentres are there to assist those on Universal Credit to find and get back into work.
When you apply for Universal Credit online, you will need to visit your local Jobcentre where you’ll be assigned a work coach and a dedicated central case manager.
All the advice and help provided is free of charge and the work coach helps customers look for work that is most suited to their skills.