A PROTEST walk has been organised to show support against the decision to close of half of Glasgow’s Jobcentres.

The demonstration organised by the Scottish Greens aims to show the difficulty the cuts, proposed by the Department of Work and Pensions, will create for those who have to walk to claim their benefits.

Setting off from the Bridgeton centre on Muslin Street the group will walk to the Shettleston centre from 10am tomorrow.

Lorraine McLaren, a Calton area candidate for Scottish Greens, said: “The walk we are setting off on tomorrow is to show the disproportionate impact these decisions will have on people in the Calton area.

“People in this area already have to deal with a lot of complex challenges in their lives and the withdrawal of services they require is only making the situation worse.

“The issue poses real problems to people with disabilities, the elderly and those looking after children.

“It’s not new that the Calton area is heavily populated by this demographic and it’s just not fair that these people will be expected to do even more to claim what they are entitled to.

“The decision to close two centres in the Calton area alone is highly concerning.

“But this isn’t just a local issue. It’s Glasgow-wide.”

From the Bridgeton job centre the group will will talk to people using the services within the centre before setting off.

They will also record the time it takes to walk to the Shettleston Road centre.

The 48-year-old also pointed out that the resultant increase in the number of people using the likes of the Shettleston centre,

McLaren added: “It’s not a short walk by any means and there’s no doubt it will put an extra burden on those trying to make appointments.

“The travel costs to get to and from the job centres will only be another obstacle for those affected.

“As well as travelling to the jobcentre there is also a real issue of how these increased numbers will be handled.

“Unless the centre extends it opening times the privacy of claimants may be obstructed as more appointments take place within close proximity with each other.

“It could make what is an already uncomfortable experience even more uncomfortable.

“This was organised very quickly but we would urge those who are against the closures to join us in the walk.

“It is vital as many people as possible are made aware of these cuts and make their views known before the consultation period comes to an end on January 31.”

Tomorrow’s protest from Bridgeton to Shettleston will potentially be the first of three to take place throughout the city. Other walks are hoped to take place between Castlemilk and Newlands as well as Maryhill and Springburn.

The DWP is consulting on three of the closures, Bridgeton, Castlemilk and Maryhill because of the longer distances.

The public can respond via plp.communicationsteam@dwp.gsi.gov.uk or by post to Etta Wright, District Manager’s Office, Public consultation, 1st Floor, Laurieston Jobcentre 159-181Pollockshaws Road, Glasgow, G411PW.