The UK Government has announced plans to close 8 Jobcentres in Glasgow – that’s half the offices in the city. These callous plans will see Jobcentres removed from communities in Parkhead, Bridgeton, Easterhouse, Castlemilk, Langside, Anniesland, Maryhill and Cambuslang.

This morally outrageous decision will impact tens of thousands of people in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit. The consequences will be severely felt by some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our most deprived communities who will find it more difficult to access these vital services.

These closures will result in the poorest communities not being serviced by a Jobcentre and make it even harder for those seeking employment to get support. Thousands of people will have to travel further at additional cost to attend their appointments and run a greater risk of falling foul of the UK Government’s sanctions regime. This decision will also impact Scottish workers who will be forced to relocate to other Jobcentres.

The UK Government had previously announced plans to close 20% of Jobcentres but Glasgow has now been handpicked to take a disproportionate 50% cut to its estate. It is clear that the city is being used as the testing ground for more devastating cuts across the country.

It is especially concerning that the UK Government has brought forward these proposals without carrying out an Equality Impact Assessment and without consulting the Scottish Government.

We call on the UK Government to halt any move to close Glasgow’s Jobcentres and carry out a thorough Equality Impact Assessment and go through a full and proper consultation before making any decision on the future of the estate.

The petition is organised by:
Alison Thewliss MP for Glasgow Central
Anne McLaughlin MP for Glasgow North East
Carol Monaghan MP for Glasgow North West
Chris Stephens MP for Glasgow South West
Margaret Ferrier MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Natalie McGarry MP for Glasgow East
Patrick Grady MP for Glasgow North
Stewart McDonald MP for Glasgow South
Bob Doris MSP for Maryhill & Springburn
Bill Kidd MSP for Glasgow Anniesland
Clare Haughey MSP for Rutherglen
Ivan McKee MSP for Glasgow Provan

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