Council battles to halt ‘no sense’ bid to shut Jobcentre

Plan condemned at local authority meeting

- STEWART MCCONNELL

Councillors unanimously passed a motion on Wednesday condemning the UK Government's decision to close Cambuslang Jobcentre.

Cllr Katy Loudon put forward the motion at the full council meeting, with the move meaning residents will have to travel to Rutherglen.

It was previously reported that Cambuslang Jobcentre is to close by January with customers and staff to be transferred to the Rutherglen centre two miles away.

The motion read: “Council notes with deep concern the UK Government's announcement on the proposed closure of Cambuslang Jobcentre, as one of two slated to close across the UK. Council deeply regrets that this decision was made without prior consultation with elected members, affected communities, service users, DWP unions, or employees - especially since the Jobcentre was saved from a proposed closure in 2017 after a widely-supported campaign, which successfully argued that a closure would have a hugely detrimental impact on local communities.

“Council understands that several hundred local residents have signed a petition against this new announcement, and that Cambuslang Community Council have called for a reversal of the Department for Work and Pensions decision on a number of grounds, including the disproportionate impact it would have on vulnerable people, and those living in areas of deprivation.