Jobcentre closures in Glasgow can still be stopped, according to the DWP boss in charge of the consultation.

Denise Horsfall, DWP work services director for Scotland, said the changes were necessary to deal with empty space and provide better services for claimants, but that some closures could still be prevented.

The plan is to shut Anniesland, Bridgeton, Castlemilk, Easterhouse, Langside, Maryhill and Parkhead Jobcentres.

In some cases people will need to travel almost four miles and more than half an hour on a bus, sometimes two to reach the remaining Jobcentres.

The DWP boss said the decision was not final and the public responses would be the determining factor in the three that are out to consultation, Bridgeton, Castlemilk and Maryhill, and hinted that changes could also be made to the others.

She admitted that no-one has tested the distance and time claimants will need to travel when Jobcentres close and said it was done using websites.

Asked if the routes had been tested, Ms Horsfall said: “I would love to say I sent my team out but they have got other work to do. I did use maps and the traveline website.

“The criteria is between Jobcentre to Jobcentre but I understand we have postcodes further away from the Jobcentre.  “We will listen to people who are on the margins how it will affect them.”

The proposals can be stopped if the consultation shows it is the wrong decision and she urged people to make their views known.

She confirmed that claimants will be expected to meet the increased cost of travel out of their benefits but only for the statutory fortnightly signing on appointment but any additional requests to attend would see travel costs paid.

The DWP says that some offices are under occupied and others are not big enough to provide the services they want to offer.

She said the current network of offices was 20 years old and the numbers using offices have changed.

She said: “In Glasgow the buildings are between 20% and 40% under occupied. When you go in you will see a floor fully occupied but there are floors above which are empty. In some I have more space in others I don’t have enough.

“Obviously we will save taxpayers money in the process but it is not about removing services. If it was just about finding money to save there are other ways of doing it.

“It is about making sensible decisions where we are under occupied.”

Ms Horsfall said the plan is to have local service hubs and she wants to be able to bring in partners to offer support like mental health services or employers to engage with Jobseekers through events like Job Fairs. She said: “In Castlemilk for example I can’t  do that I don’t have the  space.”

Staff will move to the new centres so Ms Horsfall said there will be no reduction in work coaches.

The plan across the UK is to reduce the DWP office estate by 20% but in Glasgow it is 50%, but she denied Glasgow was being singled out unfairly.

Ms Horsfall said for years Glasgow has been untouched and it has led to the current overcapacity.

She said: “Most of my colleagues around the country won’t have the level of under occupancy that I have. Glasgow has been left alone for a long period.”

The three that are being consulted on however, she said, are still open to ideas.

She said: “On Bridgeton, Maryhill and Castlemilk we are in consultation, it’s open and we will see the results of that.  “Comments will be really helpful. We have been clear about that.

She admitted that even in the other Jobcentres there are contentious areas, with some people having to travel further if they live on the edge of the catchment.

The consultation is open until January 31.

Responses can be sent to plp.communicationsteam@dwp.gsi.gov.uk or by post to Etta Wright District Manager’s Office Public Consultation, 1st floor