The closure of Southall's job centre will rip out “a valuable source of support”, according to the leader of Ealing Council , who has condemned the proposals in a letter to the government.

Councillor Julian Bell has demanded that Damian Hinds, minister of state for employment, reconsiders his decision to shut down the centre on Uxbridge Road.

Alongside Councillor Peter Mason, cabinet member for prosperity skills, employment and transformation, he wrote to the minister and said they feared “local people will lose out on jobs”.

The councillors first raised concerns in February, citing the area's high unemployment and deprivation levels, the large numbers of non-English speaking residents and high numbers of residents without formal qualifications.

Protesters gathered outside Jobcentre Plus in Southall in March

Councillor Bell slammed the proposal to close the Southall Jobcentre, suggesting it is “ripping out a valuable source of support”.

“This decision makes no sense at all,” he said. “The Department for Work and Pensions is ripping out a valuable source of support and employment opportunities from the heart of a community that needs it the most and the minister is overseeing it.

“After the closure, some of our most deprived residents will be forced to travel up to eight miles to attend a Jobcentre. How does this make sense?”

The Jobcentre is facing closure under country-wide plans from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

It comes after nationwide research showed eight out of 10 claims are made online with 20% of office space underused, DWP said.

In March, around 50 protesters gathered outside of the Jobcentre Plus to fight its potential closure, in an attempt to reverse the plan they feel will damage the area.

Councillor Bell added: “We raised our concerns with the minister in January and they were, frankly, dismissed.

“Our request to meet with him to discuss the impact of the closure on our residents was also rebuffed and now we find ourselves in a position where the closure will go ahead, without a proper discussion with those who best comprehend the impact of this decision on local people.”

Councillor Mason also urged the minister to rethink his decision and suggested “it is going to hit real people hard” in the area.

He said: “We are now urging the minister to stop and think again.

“This kind of decision can’t just be made on the basis of a paper exercise at a desk in Whitehall, when it is going to hit real people hard in Southall.

“They must take the time to come to Southall, and see for themselves the lasting damage the closure of our Jobcentre will have on the local community. The minister must change his plans.”

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