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Southside MP welcomes Committee's criticism of jobcentre closures

Stewart McDonald MP welcomed the Scottish Affairs Committee's report released today on jobcentre closures in Glasgow, which called them 'An opportunistic cost cutting exercise'.

The Committee recommended that DWP conducts a full and proper evaluation of Jobcentre provision in Glasgow, publish equality impact assessments for each of the proposed closures before any firm decision is made and at any future policy decisions which may have an impact on the way that social security is administered in Scotland must be taken in consultation with the Scottish Government.

Commenting on the report, Stewart McDonald said:

“I welcome the report for recognising the risks facing some of our poorest communities as a result of the potential jobcentre closures.

"This report asks the government to carry out more detailed transport analysis and to publish an equality impact assessment before a decision is made - so far none of these things have happened.

"I urge the DWP to take these recommendations on board and have also written to the Minister, Damian Hinds, asking that an announcement is made before the general election on June 8th. It's vital that people know what their plans are before being asked to vote."

The full report is available here