THE UK Government provided no answers to a range of questions and concerns during a debate in Westminster on the closure of eight jobcentres in the Glasgow area it has been claimed.

Margaret Ferrier, Rutherglen and Hamilton West SNP MP, led a debate with MPS from the city lining up to criticise the proposals but also to seek details and clarification over the proposals.

MPs asked about impact assessments, how many disabled people were affected, the catchment areas of the affected Jobcentres and travel costs.

Ms Ferrier praised the Evening Times campaign when she opened the debate stating her appreciation and ended by vowing to fight on to save the Jobcentres.

After Caroline Noakes, the Minister for Welfare Delivery attempted to justify the changes by talking about falling unemployment across the UK and a move to digital services Ms Ferrier said no concerns have been addressed.

She said: “I didn’t get any answers to any of the questions I asked, I don’t think others did either.”

She asked if there had been any consideration of using alternative premises or co-location with other services and closure seems to be the only option on the table.

The MP said the plan was a: “Callous attack on the disadvantaged and vulnerable”

Stewart McDonald Glasgow South SNP MSP said the plan was something even Margaret Thatcher wouldn’t have considered.

He said the late former Prime Minister in 1977 noted a Jobcentre in Barnett servicing 1000 people was “overrun and busy”

Mr McDonald said: “The Shettleston Jobcentre is expected to serve more than 3000.

“This goes where Thatcher wouldn’t dare.”

Chris Stephens, Glasgow South West SNP MP said the lack of ancswers to specific concerns showed there was no justification provided for the closures.

He said: “ If they don’t know all this why are they so certain Jobcentres should close.”

Natalie McGarry, Glasgow East MP, said the plan was “ideologically driven” and was using Glasgow as a “testing ground”.

She added: “They have picked the wrong fight with the right people”

The debate took place with falling unemployment given as one reason for reducing the Jobcentres as the latest unemployment figures showed Glasgow to have a higher jobless rate than the rest of the country.

Claimant count in the city is 3.1% compared to 2.2% for Scotland and 1.8% in the UK.

In the last year an extra 550 people in Glasgow were added to the unemployment figures.

In certain areas however it is far higher. In Glasgow East where Parkhead and Easterhouse Jobcentres are to close the rate is 4.9% and in Glasgow North East 5.9%.