Commenting on the announcement by the Tory Minister for Employment, Damian Hinds MP, that Alexandria Jobcentre will close by March 2018, local MSP Jackie Baillie said:

“This is a disappointing decision from an out of touch Tory Government. The UK Government should be making it easier to find work, not harder, especially in areas like the Vale of Leven which has historically suffered from higher levels of poverty and unemployment. Transferring the Jobcentre to Dumbarton will mean more people out of pocket paying for train and bus fares.

“I have been campaigning against the closure ever since the proposals were first announced and I wrote to the new Secretary of State after the General Election calling on him to ditch the plans. The Tories have ignored our representations at every turn and there has been little consultation with the local community in Alexandria. The Scottish Tory leader, Ruth Davidson, should break her silence and condemn the closures.

“I hope that West Dunbartonshire Council will now look at opportunities for launching a new service for jobseekers in Alexandria, similar to the successful Jobs Hub in Dumbarton town centre, to make up for the loss of the local Jobcentre