FEARS have been raised over ‘excessive secrecy’ surrounding the future of Inverclyde’s jobcentres following swingeing cuts in Glasgow.

MP Ronnie Cowan has lodged questions with the UK Government over what the future holds for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) jobcentres in Greenock, pictured, and Port Glasgow.

He received correspondence from the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), which highlighted concerns about future leases on DWP offices.

Mr Cowan says the move to close half of Glasgow’s jobcentres was ‘morally outrageous’ and he is keen to receive assurances the local facilities are safe.

He said: “The cuts by the DWP to slash 50 per cent of the jobcentres in Glasgow fly in the face of the Tory promise to ‘work for the many and not the privileged few’.

“On a recent visit to the Jobcentre Plus office in Port Glasgow, I was reassured to learn of their commitment to the area, and their plans to help the residents of Inverclyde with welfare claims, and to assist my office.

“I have since raised parliamentary questions to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the UK Government has any plans to close jobcentre offices in Inverclyde.

“I’ve also asked what discussions the DWP have had regarding negotiations on future leases of jobcentre offices in Scotland.”

The MP added: “I hope to receive a response from the UK Government regarding Inverclyde in the near future.”

The PCS says it has been told by the DWP that negotiations on future leases for offices were continuing, but it refused to say which ones it intended to close.

A union spokesperson said: “The DWP intends to announce which offices it intends to retain and which it plans to close before the end of January.

“Management agreed to meet with PCS again before the end of January, and will not make any further announcements about the future of the Jobcentre estate until after that meeting.

“PCS made clear to the employer that members were increasingly concerned at the slow progress being made, and the excessive secrecy around making announcements.

“The employer made clear to PCS that they would honour consultation with the unions, and that no final decisions on the future of sites would be taken without consideration of all of the trade unions’ comments.”