West Dunbartonshire’s Martin Docherty-Hughes MP has lodged written questions to the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions asking for details of the number of people who will be affected by the move and what consultation the DWP intends to have with the local community.
The petition to save the centre, online at www.dev03.cmsscot.dev, has more than 300 signatures including paper signatures, and has cross party support from local MSP Jackie Baillie helping put pressure on the DWP.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“I appreciate Jackie’s support for my campaign. It can only help to put more pressure on the DWP. The questions I am asking in Parliament are constructive and it’s important we get answers for local people.
“The DWP cannot possibly justify removing this service from an area with such great need and with no consultation with the local community.
“I am also seeking a face to face meeting with the Minister for Employment and will be making that request in person.
“I would urge everyone to sign my petition so that when I submit my formal response to the DWP’s closure notification, I can demonstrate the strong local feeling and need that exists in Alexandria and the surrounding communities.”
ENDS
Note for Editors:
Martin’s written questions will not appear on the UK Parliament until Monday 20th February 2017 due to the current recess. They are as follows:
- To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, by what criteria has the Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire site been selected for closure?
- To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he can confirm that no compulsory redundancies will result from the closure of the Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire site?
- To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when an Equality Impact Assessment will be published on the proposal to close the Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire site?
- To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a public consultation will take place over the proposal to close the Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire site?
- To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants are currently served by the Alexandria job centre, and how many of these are a) disabled and b) women?
- To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what are the expected costs of relocating staff and resources from the Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire site?
- To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has been made of the impact on the local economy of moving 15 jobs from the Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire site?
