ANNIESLAND Job Centre could be closed as plans to shut half of Glasgow's centres are revealed, sparking claims people in poorer areas will be worse off.

The Department of Work and Pensions has plans to shut seven offices across the city, plus Cambuslang which is believed to be ahead of a nationwide programme.

It will mean people having to travel further, up to four miles, to meet appointments and it is claimed more will have to use expensive 0345 phone numbers to speak to an adviser.

Anniesland Jobcentre will move to Partick Jobcentre, Maryhill Jobcentre will move to Springburn Jobcentre and Cambuslang Jobcentre will move to Rutherglen Jobcentre.

The centres to close are Castlemilk and Langside Jobcentres which will move to Newlands Jobcentre.

Parkhead, Easterhouse and Bridgeton Jobcentres will move to Shettleston Jobcentre.

Glasgow North West MP, Carol Monaghan, has reacted with dismay at news that the Department for Work and Pensions is planning to close eight of Glasgow’s Job Centres, including Anniesland in her own constituency.

Carol Monaghan MP said:“If realised, these closures would have a devastating impact on the service provided to those across Glasgow who rely on their local Job Centre for support and would cost claimants more in time and money to attend appointments and ‘sign on’ for Jobseekers’ Allowance.

”In my own constituency of Glasgow North West, the proposals include the closure of Anniesland Job Centre, which serves not just Anniesland but also Temple, Knightswood, Whiteinch, Scotstoun and Yoker. "The latest statistics from Nomis indicate that over 16% of those of working age in the constituency are in receipt of out of work benefits. That is considerably above the Scottish and UK averages.

“Instead of bringing in cuts, we should be investing more in these services to help tackle the long-running issues of unemployment that are unfortunately still found in large parts of Glasgow. It is telling that the Chancellor’s statement on the DWP’s ‘People and Locations’ programme in 2015 indicated that 20% of the estate would close. In Glasgow, that figure is 50%.

“For changes as dramatic as this (the Government) should accept the need for a full public consultation and they should halt any proposals until they have done this and I will be fighting tooth and nail against these planned closures.”

The DWP said there will be no job losses and Drumchapel, Govan and Laurieston offices will be unaffected.

It leaves seven remaining in Glasgow plus Rutherglen, in South Lanarkshire.

A city politician opposed to the closures said it was “morally outrageous”.

Chris Stephens MP, SNP spokesperson for Trade Unions said: “This decision is simply, morally outrageous. It will result in the poorest communities not being serviced by a Job Centre and make it even harder for those seeking employment to get support. Thousands of people will now have to travel further at additional cost to attend their appointments.

“Approximately 68,000 people in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit in Glasgow will be impacted by these closures. Given the brutal sanctions regime this will mean that the numbers facing sanctions will undoubtedly increase.”

Denise Horsfall, DWP Work Services Director for Scotland, said: “At the heart of everything we do is our customers, and we’ve made it easier than ever for people to access our suite of specialist services to find work and get the support that they need – whether that be in person, online or over phone.

“By bringing together a number of neighbouring Jobcentres we’re continuing to modernise our operations while ensuring that our premises provide best value to the taxpayer.”

A final decision on these plans is expected to be made within six months, with a view to completion by 31 March 2018.