The UK Government has been accused of “moving jobs out of West Lothian” after it was announced Bathgate DWP workers are being forced to relocate or change jobs.
Back office workers will be given the choice of moving to another base in Falkirk or will be retrained and redeployed the elsewhere within DWP or another government department.
The changes were announced last week by the UK Government and won’t affect any public-facing roles.
Lothian MSP, Lorna Slater, said the changes were “huge blow to local people” and warned that the extra costs and travel time will be particularly harsh for parents and young people.
However the DWP has stressed its aim is not reduce the staff numbers but moving back office staff to “greener offices”.
The MSP said she has written UK Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP following an announcement that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to close 40 offices across the UK.
Ms Slater continued: “It is extremely disappointing that yet again the UK Government is moving jobs out of West Lothian.
“Commuting between Bathgate and Falkirk can be difficult, particularly when relying on public transport. By train this journey can take upwards of an hour and when relying on buses this can be even longer.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “As part of plans to improve the services we deliver to claimants, help more people into employment and modernise public services, DWP is moving some back office staff to better, greener offices, which will not affect any public-facing roles.
“This is not a plan to reduce our headcount – where possible, our colleagues in offices due to close are being offered opportunities to be redeployed to a nearby site, or retrained into a new role in DWP or another government department.
“We are making every effort to fully support our staff through this process.”
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