PORT Glasgow’s jobcentre is to be shut as part of a government cash-saving drive.

Inverclyde’s jobcentres have been under threat since it was announced recently that half of Glasgow’s jobcentres are being closed.

And now the axe has fallen on the Scarlow Street facility, which will close before the end of March next year.

The news was broken yesterday morning to the 28 staff, who will be transferred to Greenock’s Dalrymple Street jobcentre, which will now have to cater for many more people seeking help.

The closure was condemned today by Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan, who has been pursuing the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Westminster Government over the issue, and Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan.

The DWP has been reviewing all of its estates requirements, as the current contract for most of the buildings comes to an end on March 31, 2018.

Mr Cowan visited the Jobcentre Plus office in Port Glasgow only a couple of weeks ago, and said he was reassured at that time to learn of their commitment to the area and their plans to help residents with welfare claims.

He said today: “The cuts by the DWP fly in the face of the Tory promise to ‘work for the many and not the privileged few’. These closures are morally outrageous.”

Damian Hinds, Minister for Employment, said: “The new site is just 2.8 miles from the existing site. Jobcentre Plus is able to reimburse travel costs for those claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance or the equivalent claimants in Universal Credit for any attendance above their fortnightly signing appointment.” 

However, Mr Cowan said the closure would be an added burden on people in Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow who will be expected to travel greater distances to receive welfare support.

He said: “The SNP has been actively opposing this issue. Last week we led debates in both the House of Commons and the Scottish Parliament but our attempts to get Scottish Secretary David Mundell to join us in calling on the DWP to halt these plans have fallen on deaf ears.

“I note the proposal is to relocate all 28 staff from Port Glasgow, and I hope the DWP will follow through on this and ensure there are no compulsory redundancies.”

Mr McMillan said local jobcentres provide a vital service to those looking for work.

He said: “It is completely unacceptable that Inverclyde, with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, is set to be one of the first parts of the UK to have jobcentre closures imposed on it.

“This will have a damaging impact on people in Inverclyde, resulting in already hard-up people being forced to travel farther at a higher cost in order to access vital job searching services.

Mr McMillan added: “I plan to do everything in my power, with support from the Scottish Government, to fight these cuts.”