Job seekers in the South West are to face extra difficulties in trying to find employment if the proposed closure of up to 22 Jobcentre Plus offices goes ahead.
Equality South West is concerned about the impact any closures would have on the most vulnerable in the community.
Paul Dunn, Equality south West chief executive, said: ‘Many of these offices are in rural areas, which means job seekers will have to travel much further to get to their nearest job centre.
‘This is going to cause problems, not only logistically – what might have been a short trip to their local centre could turn into a day-long expedition – but also financially by incurring further expense to those who can least afford it.
‘The people most likely to be affected are those with caring responsibilities (who are mostly women) and people with physical and sensory impairments.
Paul Dunn said: ‘I have written to Claire McGuckin, asking her whether she has carried out an equality audit on each and every office. What I want to know is: has Jobcentre Plus thought through the impact on local people and their communities?’
Equality South West is also concerned about the forshortened consultation period of six weeks when the government’s own guidelines of 12 weeks.
The offices under threat are in Burnham-on-Sea, Chard, Christchurch, Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Wareham, Wimborne, Axminster, Camborne, Exmouth, Sidmouth, Ilfracombe, Okehampton, Hayle, Helston, Looe, St Ives, Saltash, Wadebridge, Tavistock, Kingsbridge and Plympton.
Posted by Cptn
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