A number of Jobcentres are to merge or close, affecting up to 750 jobs, the Department for Work and Pensions has announced - these are the ones affected
13:34, 06 Jul 2017Updated 10:03, 07 Jul 2017
The DWP said it wants to merge staff and facilities across 68 smaller Jobcentre Plus offices(Image: Getty)
A total of 750 jobs are to be put on the line as part of a Jobcentre shake-up that will affect 68 branches over the next twelve months.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed plans to overhaul its high street network with 68 offices to be merged into larger ones nearby, and four to shut down permanently.
A further 40 to be moved into local government buildings under 'efficiency' savings.
The DWP explained the changes will save more than £140 million a year for the next 10 years and will offer better 'value for the tax payer' - it added that 80% of Jobseeker’s Allowance and 99% of Universal Credit applications are now made online.
The changes, which will take effect over the next year, will leave 750 workers at risk of redundancy, although the DWP says alternative job roles will be offered wherever possible. In other cases, staff will be moved to larger offices.
It also added that five new bigger branches will open - although could not say where these would be.
Employment Minister Damian Hinds said: “We will always make sure that people have the support they need to get into and progress within work.
“These changes reflect the fact that more people access their benefits online, resulting in many of our buildings being under-used.
“We’re merging some offices and locating other Jobcentres with local authorities to make sure that the welfare state and our employment support works for those who need it and those who pay for it.”
But the Public and Commercial Services union described the changes as "utterly disgraceful".
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “While we are pleased a handful of threatened sites will now stay open, thanks to the hard work of our members, community groups and local MPs, it is utterly disgraceful that DWP is pressing ahead with these closures.
“This Tory Government is abandoning unemployed, sick and disabled people, making it harder for them to access the services they need, and putting Jobcentre jobs at risk.
“We will continue to oppose these plans in every way we can."
Is your local Jobcentre affected? The list in full
(Image: Getty)
This is from a full list of Jobcentres earmarked to be "divested" in January, although the DWP has said some proposed changes have since been made. Mirror Money has contacted the DWP for a full list of the branches set to shut, move and relocate over the next year - this page will be updated accordingly once the final list is released.
Bolsover
Bolton Farnworth
Brighouse Owler Ings Road
Bristol Easton JCP
Carlisle Stocklund House Castle Street
Chelmsley Wood JCP
Chesham JCP
Clevedon JCP
Colne
Coventry Tile Hill
Darwen
Herne Bay
Hornchurch
Kings Lynn JCP
Liskeard JCP
Liverpool Wavertree
Liverpool Williamson Square
Brixton
Dagenham
Edgware
Finchley
Malton Norton Road Norton (Ryedale)
Manchester Longsight
Mansfield Hill House
Hammersmith
Kilburn
Broxburn
Leytonstone
Newcastle Upon Tyne, Condercum House (Newcastle West)
Newcastle Upon Tyne, Coquet House (Newcastle East).
Newton-le-Willows
Nottingham Hyson Green JCP
Edinburgh
Oxford Floyds Row JCP (Screened Services)
Inverness Church Street
Larkhall Interview Room
Neasden
Plaistow
Southall
Port Glasgow
Wick Girnigoe Street
Petersfield JCP
Sutton
Plymouth Old Tree Court
Preston Friargate
Wandsworth
Bargoed
Rotherham High Street Goldthorpe
Sheffield Eastern Avenue
Llandrindod Wells Automobile Palace Princes Avenue
Skipton Cavendish House Newmarket Street
South Shields Chapter Row
Westminster
Spalding JCP
Mountain Ash New County Road
Newtown Afon House The Park
Pyle Ffald Road Shopping Centre
Tredegar Crown Building Upper Coronation Street
Ystradgynlais Wind Road
Tamworth JCP
Telford Church Street Madeley JCP Church Street M
Tunbridge Wells
Wellington JCP
Whitley Bay 158 Whitley Road
Whitstable
Wilmslow
Winsford
Woking JCP
Wythenshawe
Andover JCP
Batley 26 Wellington Street
Bristol Central JCP
Clay Cross JCP
Coleford JCP
Haverhill JCP
Helston JCP
Hoylake
Hull Market Place
Leeds 35 Eastgate
Liverpool Aintree
Liverpool Edge Hill
Liverpool Norris Green
Alexandria JCP
Benbecula
Shipley Wainman Street
Lanark Atholl House
Clapham
Croydon
East Ham
Edmonton
Blackwood Newbridge House 75-77 High Street
Edmonton (Annex)
Eltham
Highgate
Hounslow
Lewisham (Catford)
London Bexleyheath 38-46 Avenue Road