THE DWP should think again over plans to shut half the city’s jobcentres, Glasgow City Council has said.

Anniesland job centre is just one of eight centres across the city up for the axe, meaning jobseekers will be forced to travel further afield to meet with the DWP staff.

The council has submitted a response to the consultation outlining problems with travel, costs and difficulty accessing and using internet services when local centres are shut.

It also passed a motion with cross party support condemning the proposals when first published.

Frank McAveety, council leader has written to the Employment Minister Damian Hinds telling him the closures will hold back attempts in the city to get people back into work.

The submission questions the DWP travel estimates warning many will face longer trips as they live far away from the current jobcentre.

Or they have to travel first to take a child to school, nursery or childcare, increasing the distance, making it more likely they will be late.

Mr McAveety has asked for an urgent meeting with the minister or a senior DWP representatives to discuss the proposals.

He said: “I believe this to be entirely the wrong approach that will have a detrimental impact upon the employment prospects and opportunities of Glasgow’s jobseekers.

“The reality of the situation is that not one single jobseeker in Glasgow will be in a better place because of this announcement.”

The council said the process should be halted and a new review carried out which takes into account the proposals to shut all in the city.

It said the three for consultation, Bridgeton, Castlemilk and Maryhill cannot be considered on their own.

It stated: “The overall impact of proposed closures in Glasgow is greater than that of the three jobcentres included in this consultation. Also impacted are Anniesland, Easterhouse, Langside and Parkhead.

“DWP should look again at the combined impact of closing half of the Glasgow jobcentres in one exercise.”

The city’s Poverty Leadership Panel also submitted a response stating it believed it would also impact disproportionately on disabled people.

In its response it stated: “Some will struggle to find a wheelchair accessible bus for example; two wheelchair users could not travel on the same route at the same time.

“Those with mental health issues or certain learning difficulties (e.g. autism) find it difficult to travel by public transport.

“There are real anxieties and concerns that these anticipated travel difficulties will result in people facing more sanctions as a result of being later for or missing appointments at the Jobcentre.

Ghazala Hakeem, co-chair of the PLP said: “I believe that these closures will cause extra stress on some of our most vulnerable citizens.”