Threat to Paignton Job Centre

12.00.00am GMT Fri 20th Jan 2006

Adrian Sanders MP for Torbay has stepped up his battle to save the Paignton Job Centre from closure, and to acknowledge the impact this will have on existing and future clients across Torbay and South Hams.

Adrian commented:

"I am very concerned about the difficulties disabled users of the job centre will experience with the additional travel and the problems lone parents will face following the recent introduction of more frequent mandatory interviews at the job centre.

"I am also concerned that all users will face increased difficulties and transport costs if this accessible and centrally located office has to close.

"For people from the South Hams who use the Paignton job centre, the closure would mean expensive and time consuming journeys of up to three hours for some.

Adrian has raised the proposed closure with the Secretary of State who has promised to look into the matter personally.

"My motion asks her to note that alternative offices such as Dartmouth, Brixham and Totnes either do not offer a full range of services, do not open full-time, do not offer financial facilities or do not have the ability to take new clients."