DWP reveals plans to close offices, with THOUSANDS at risk of redundancy
THOUSANDS of jobs within the Department for Work and Pensions could be at risk as plans to close offices across the UK are revealed.
As many as 3,000 people could be at risk of redundancy at the government department.
SNP work and employment spokesman Chris Stephens claimed the DWP was: "looking to close offices in high economic deprivation areas".
But argued it was "counter-intuitive to the so-called levelling-up agenda".
Work and Pensions minister David Rutley confirmed the moves as he said: "In terms of our plans, we, as I said, have been working very closely with colleagues and with PCS over recent months.
"There are going to be around 12,000 colleagues who will be moving from one site to another in close proximity, around 28 sites involved there.
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"In terms of colleagues that will be affected where there is no other strategic site nearby, there are around 1,300 colleagues that could be involved."
Mr Rutley added that the Government would "see what opportunities there are within DWP" and other departments for affected staff.
The change isn't set to affect Jobcentres or other "customer-facing interactions" though.
Around 42 offices are planned to close in the department shake-up.
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Staff in 13 of those could lose their jobs or be moved to another government department.
A further 12,000 workers could be affected by the other 29 office closures, and will likely be moved to other sites.
A written statement is due to be published by the DWP to Parliament on Friday morning notifying MPs of all planned closures.
A government spokesperson told The Sun: “As part of plans to improve the services we deliver to claimants, help more people into employment and modernise public services, DWP is moving some back office staff to better, greener offices, which will not affect any public-facing roles.
“This is not a plan to reduce our headcount – where possible, our colleagues in offices due to close are being offered opportunities to be redeployed to a nearby site, or retrained into a new role in DWP or another government department.
"We are making every effort to fully support our staff through this process.”
Martyn James, consumer rights expert from Resolver, said: "Even if the jobs are 'back office' as has been reported, the sheer scale of the rumoured cuts are likely to have a significant impact on this vital service.
"Over the pandemic, I was flooded with calls and messages from people who were struggling to get help from the Department of Work and Pensions.
"Many people seeking help with work, benefits and financial difficulties need specific and sensitive advice and support to help get them back on their feet, so the announcement that thousands of jobs could be at risk will inevitably have a huge impact on people struggling to get by."
What are my rights if I’m made redundant?
You are entitled to statutory pay if you are made redundant - so you shouldn't have to be left out of pocket.
You'll only get statutory redundancy pay if have worked for your employer for two years or more though.
The statutory rate is based on your age, weekly pay and number of years in the job.
You will get:
- Half a week’s pay for each full year you worked aged under 22
- One week’s pay for each full year you worked aged 22 or older, but under 41
- One and half week’s pay for each full year you worked while aged 41 or older.
Length of service is capped at 20 years.
In England, Scotland, and Wales the maximum amount of statutory redundancy pay is currently £16,320. However, in Northern Ireland it is £16,980.
You cannot be paid less than the statutory amount either.
The limits may change when a new tax year begins each April.
You're also still entitled to any holiday pay owed for untaken days at the end of your notice period as well.
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The DWP oversees payments like Universal Credit, but in other announcements it has revealed the key dates and changes that might affect when you'll get money over Easter.
Similarly, thousands more Brits could be fast-tracked for benefits after another major change.
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