Job Centre closures hit Dorset Market Towns

12.53.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Jun 2007

Annette Brooke MP spoke out today at Government plans to closure Job Centre plus centres across Dorset. It has been announced that 30,000 jobs will be cut nationwide as the service centralises and it is almost certain some of these closures will hit centres in Dorset.

Annette is particularly concerned at proposals to cut centres in Wareham and Wimborne, two market towns which will both fall within Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency under its new boundaries.

"Despite a brand new office being opened in Wareham, there is a chance this office may be closed, meaning residents will have to travel to Poole. The difficulties for disabled and other residents who are job hunting will be considerable with the cost and limitations of public transport in Dorset,"

"The situation is very similar for Wimborne, where local services are needed and transport to Poole is not as regular as it could be. I would suggest that rather than total closure a partnership arrangement could be reached."

"These proposals will make it more difficult for people to access job and benefit information and are entirely counterproductive. They should be ditched or new arrangements developed in each affected locality," said Annette.

Notes to editors.

Annette has responded to the current consultation and suggested at the very lease a local service must be retained for some hours per week by for example utilising accommodation in a local library or CAB office as appropriate.