POLITICIANS across parties in Glasgow have called on the Scottish Secretary to oppose and speak out against Jobcentre closures in the city.

MPs, MSPs and councillors from the SNP, Labour and Greens have signed a letter to David Mundell, setting out their concerns should the plan to shut seven Jobcentres in Glasgow plus Cambuslang in South Lanarkshire.

The proposals have sparked anger within communities and outrage from a cross section of society.

Trade Unions, Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic Church leaders, Citizens Advice and food bank organisers are just some of those who have spoken of the added damage the closures will do to people already struggling to make ends meet.

The letter has been sent to the UK government senior politician in Scotland asking for Mr Mundell to speak out in the Government on behalf of the city.

It has been drafted by Stewart McDonald, Glasgow South MP, whose constituency includes two centres due to be closed, Castlemilk and Langside.

The letter is signed by all seven Glasgow MPs, Nicola Sturgeon in her role as MSP for Glasgow Southside and the seven SNP MSPs as well as Claire Haughey, Rutherglen MSP, the four Labour MSPs and Patrick Harvie from the Greens.

Glasgow City Council Leader, Labour councillor, Frank McAveety and SNP Group leader, Susan Aitken have also signed the letter.

The only Holyrood representatives not to sign are Conservative MSPs Annie Wells and Adam Tomkins.

The letter states: “We are writing to you to express our deep unhappiness at last month’s announcement on Jobcentre closures in Glasgow.

“We are gravely concerned with the lack of understanding the Department for Work and Pensions continues to demonstrate for the particular circumstances of Glasgow.”

The politicians said the proposals were “ill-considered” and will impact on communities and place additional burdens of people who need to access Jobcentre services.

It continued: “The proposals strike not only at those who are seeking work but also those too ill to work due to ill health or long standing illness.”

It sets out the level of opposition to the plan and issues a challenge to Mr Mundell to back the campaign to keep the Jobcentres open.

It adds: “ As Secretary of State for Scotland, we ask you to join us and civic Scotland –including the third sector, trade unions and churches in opposing these closures and use your position to speak up for Glasgow to your cabinet colleagues to see that these planned closures are scrapped.”