COUNCILLORS have joined an MP in criticising a proposal to shut a Jobcentre Plus office in Shipley and move it to Bradford.

The relocation affecting the Wainman Street office is still a proposal, with a final decision expected to be made in six months' time following a public consultation. The Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) says the move would be in the interests of saving public money.

The plan is to move the Shipley office to either Bradford’s Eastbrook Court Jobcentre in Vicar Lane or to its office in Westfield House in Manningham Lane.

Discussions will now take place with the Wainman Street’s 26 staff to agree on their re-deployment to the Bradford sites, but no redundancies are expected as part of the move.

All job centre claimants will be contacted to explain what the changes will mean for them, nearer to any agreed move date.

Councillor Kevin Warnes (Green, Shipley) blasted the proposal, saying it would lead to extra travel costs for unemployed people in the town.

He said: “It’s disappointing news. It’s a shame that local people will have to travel further to get the advice and help they need. It’s a puzzle that the Government can find money for things like HS2 but can’t find money to help the most vulnerable people in society.”

Councillor Martin Love (Green, Shipley) said: “It’s going to make the people in the worst possible situation, even worse off.

“It will significantly impact on people using the service. It will incur extra costs for them when they are already on the absolute minimum.”

Shipley MP Philip Davies has already hit out at the plans, saying he would speak to centre staff to get their views before he talks to the DWP Minister.

The proposed move is part of a countrywide package of proposals to merge smaller job centres with larger ones and move others into local government premises, saving around £180m a year for the next ten years.

MORE TOP STORIES