There is one week to submit responses to the DWP consultation on Jobcentre closures in Glasgow.

One week to give the Westminster Government the message from Glasgow loud and clear that the proposal does not have your support.

It will make life more difficult for people who are already struggling and while the closures would create huge savings for the government the costs will be passed on to some of the poorest people in the country.

The Evening Times decided to oppose these closures as soon as they were announced. We did so for a number of reasons.

We believe that closing Jobcentres will not make it easier for one person to find a job.

It will place an added financial cost on many people who will need to take a bus, in some cases two buses, to get to the alternative Jobcentre.

The time it will take makes it difficult to arrive on time for an appointment, especially for people with childcare commitments.

We, like many others, are concerned that this will lead to an increase in sanctions and plunge people deeper into poverty.

The social security system is one of the successes of this country in the last century but sadly it has become a system that is geared towards reducing budgets at all costs as the overriding aim, when it should be about protecting those who are unable to work and helping those who are able back into jobs.

These closures, not only the three being consulted on, must be halted and a review of the functions of Jobcentres carried out along with what other services could be co-located within the Jobcentre to maximise the space.

We encourage everyone concerned who has an interest in creating stronger communities in Glasgow to respond to the consultation and tell the DWP in no uncertain terms.

Hands Off Our Jobcentres.