New Threat to Marple Job Centre

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 7th Feb 2005

Local MP, Andrew Stunell has hit out at plans to axe the Marple Jobcentre Plus and force job hunters to use library computers instead.

Earlier this year Jobcentre Plus announced that the service at the Marple Job Centre would be reduced and relocated to the Council offices in Memorial Park. Now the Department for Work and Pensions say there is no cash available even for this scaled down service and a computer terminal at Marple Library is all that will be provided.

Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell said:

"I warned the Minister last year that this face to face service is essential. Now we have a miserly proposal to close the Marple Jobcentre Plus and leave job hunters to access library computers in their search for work or information. It is not acceptable."

"The Marple Jobcentre Plus is an essential service offering personalised advice and guidance on jobs, training opportunities, benefit claims and form filling to many people in Marple and the surrounding area."

"There really is no substitute for personalised support when job hunting. Some job hunters are not comfortable using computers, others may not be aware of what training and job opportunities are available to them. For these people, to be told to use a computer access point at the library is a poor consolation."

Andrew Stunell is raising the issue in Parliament and meeting senior Jobcentre Plus managers to press for a rethink.

Mr Stunell added:

"It is a disgrace that the Department for Work and Pensions is cutting Jobcentre Plus just when they are claiming they want to see more hard-to-place people back in work."

ENDS