The UK Government’s plan to shut half of Glasgow’s Jobcentres is “opportunistic cost cutting” and should be sent back to the drawing board according to a committee of MPs.

The Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster produced a highly critical report which said the closure plans were poorly thought out and appeared to single out Glasgow.

The MPs said DWP ministers gave “confusing evidence” and showed a “lack of ambition or concern for the users of Jobcentres.”

It called for a new full evaluation of the Jobcentres across Glasgow to be carried out to ensure offices are in the right locations.

The committee said the closure plan was focussed on saving money and would fail to deliver an “adequate service” for the city.

The Evening Times Hands of Our Jobcentres campaign has opposed the closures and attracted widespread backing.

The Committee said the decision to announce the Glasgow closures ahead of others “gave the impression that Glasgow may have been singled out or used as a pilot, even if that was not the case.”

A decision on the Bridgeton, Castlemilk and Maryhill centres is due immenently.

The Scottish Affairs Committee however has recommended a fresh look at the needs of the city and proposed that new jobcentres could be located in places where they are needed and are most accessible.

The report stated: “A full and proper evaluation of Jobcentre Plus provision in Glasgow must be carried out. Particular consideration should be given to a large central location that would allow the greatest number of people to access it, supported by smaller offices in areas with poor transport links.”

Pete Wishart, committee chair said: “The end of the PFI contract could have allowed them to embark on a programme of meaningful change, should they have wished.

“They could almost have started with a clean state and asked what sort of Jobcentre provision would work best for each city or town. Instead they seem to have just looked at how many offices they could close down and how much money they could save.”

A DWP spokeswoman said:“We’ve been clear that this is about improving the services we deliver, while making best use of taxpayers’ money. We are in the process of consulting with staff, and final decisions will be made after that is completed.”