Local MP Sharon Hodgson has hit out at plans to move more than 900 jobs from Washington to Sunderland.
The Washington and Sunderland North MP is urging the Government to think again about its announcement that 945 Department of Work and Pensions staff will move from Durham House, in Washington town centre, at the end of this year.
The closure is the largest announced by the Government earlier this month., as part of a post-Covid plan to tackle over-supply of DWP office space since more workers are home based at least part of the week. Ms Hodgson has started a petition to retain the DWP offices in Washington, asking the Government to reverse its decision for the benefit of the whole town.
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"“The Government is taking away 945 jobs from local communities who need them. The viability of our high streets and transport networks depends upon people living and working locally. The office is right in the middle of The Galleries centre, and most workers will be using the shops in there, which is trade that will go if the offices close," said Ms Hodgson.
"I know the jobs are not being lost, they are just moving, but that few extra miles might make a big difference to families with childcare issues or who use public transport. There is also the additional costs when people can lease afford it, with additional commuting and the loss of free parking.
"I am also worried about facility staff at Durham House - the cleaners and the support staff who are not employed by DWP, who will lost their jobs in the move. This Tory government is choosing to deliver a hammer blow to working people in the middle of a cost of living crisis. They say they are levelling up, but the reality is closing down."
Ms Hodgson is also angry that the closures affect the North East disproportionately, with 1300 of the 7000 jobs at risk coming from the North Eastern quarter of the UK. A total of 55 jobs will be lost permanently at Bishop Auckland, when Vinovium House closes as part of the schedule.
The plan is to close Durham House, in Washington, and Lighthouse View, in Seaham, where 390 people work, and move all of the workers to Wear House, in Sunderland, which has capacity for around 1000 people and where around 600 currently work.
"The assumption made to accommodate the staff was that around 60 per cent of people will be working from home," said Ms Hodgson. " I can see the sense in closing offices if they are not being used, it is after all taxpayers' money that has to be spent wisely. But I can't see why it looks to be hitting the North so badly and it just makes a mockery of the so-called levelling up.
"The Government is supposed to be in favour of moving Government jobs from London, yet none of the permanent closures are in the capital."
Ms Hodgson's petition calling for the Government to reverse the decision has be signed here.
