FEARS that Jobcentre closures in the East End could lead to gang-based violence have been raised in the House of Commons.

UK Government ministers were criticised during a late night debate for failing to consult with local police officers on the ground in communities over the impact closures could have.

Bridgeton Job centre closed last week and Parkhead and Easterhouse are to follow later this month.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15818220.SNP_and_Labour_join_forces_to_call_for_reverse_on_plans_to_shut_half_of_Glasgow___s_Jobcentres/

All three will merge into Shettleston Jobcentre and a local MP fears that violence could erupt between some young men from different communities.

He said a previous programme several years ago to merge services for under 25s had led to clashes among rival gangs.

David Linden, Glasgow East MP told the Employment Minister Alok Sharma that while gang related violence is not as serious as before there is still a problem.

Mr Linden said: “If the Minister will not listen to me on the concerns about territorialism and the gangland culture, then he should listen to Commander Stevie Haslett, who heads up Glasgow East police. I was quite surprised to find out that the Department had not bothered to consult him about this either.”

Mr Sharma said no issues of gang violence were raised during the consultation to close three Jobcentres.

He said: “As part of our consultation, we engaged with Community Safety Glasgow and the Glasgow City Council strategic community partnership group, and they were not aware of any gang-related issues pertaining to potential jobcentre closures.”

Mr Linden replied: “As someone involved in the local community, I would have thought that if we want to ask people on the frontline about crime, we might ask the police.”

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15392508.Six_Glasgow_Jobcentres_axed_as_London_benefit_bosses_treat_our_most_vulnerable_with_contempt/

The MP told the minister of the Eveniing Times Hands off our Jobcentres campaign.

He added: “The Evening Times, a local newspaper in Glasgow, has been resolutely united in campaigning to save our jobcentres. If the Minister will not listen to me as an SNP politician, and if he will not even listen to the Tory councillors in Glasgow, he should listen to the newspaper that is for Glasgow.”

Five Glasgow MPs took part in the debate and raised many problems the closures will cause people.

Stewart McDonald, Glasgow South SNP MP, said: “Will the Minister guarantee that when people are late for appointments, as a result of the closures, they will not be sanctioned? I am sure that he agrees that that would be completely wrong.

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow North East, Labour MSP said ministers could have explored co-location with other services to retain Jobcentres in communities.

He said: “I am occupying a building that is only one fifth occupied, but it is currently paid for by Glasgow City Council, Jobs & Business Glasgow and Skills Development Scotland. Why on earth has the Minister not engaged with those agencies to say, ‘Look, we have a cost-neutral option for providing a jobcentre service in that building?”