Union fury as DWP axes 800 jobs
1 min read
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to lay off 800 staff members in Jobcentre closures, union chiefs have said – more than initially expected.
The job losses, linked to office closures and a new “corporate centre hub strategy”, will come as early as February next year. It was previously thought that 750 jobs would be lost in closures to 78 Jobcentres, which the DWP said would save around £140m over ten years.
The Public and Commercial Services union for civil servants called the cuts “unwelcome and unnecessary”.
“At a time when workloads are at record highs, DWP should be recruiting new staff, not forcing loyal and experienced staff onto the dole,” general secretary Mark Serwotka said.
“This is a dreadful announcement from the DWP. The government are forcing through unprecedented cuts on the civil service. We shall intensify our campaign against office closures and job cuts.”
Staff facing the axe will be offered the chance of voluntary redundancy. Any redundancy packages will be based on the terms of the 2010 civil service compensation scheme after a 2016 scheme was ruled unlawful.
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