Welcome to your local community website...

No reprieve for Feltham jobcentre

Posted by Nina Rossi on Nov 25, 08 05:33 PM in People

A last hope that Feltham jobcentre might remain open was dashed today as Minister for Work and Pensions James Purnell announced three other centres would be saved instead.

Feltham jobcentre was initially rumoured to be among the centres receiving a last-minute reprieve despite being ear-marked for closure this autumn.

It was announced in the Commons today that centres in Sheperd's Bush, Camberwell Green and Kilburn would all be saved as part of a £1.3billion Government plan to help the newly unemployed.

But the decision to close the Feltham branch, which was branded 'mind-bogglingly short-sighted' by Hounslow leader Peter Thompson, was not reversed.

A DWP spokesperson said: "The closure of Feltham Jobcentre Plus was announced in the summer and we have already made arrangements to transfer services to neighbouring offices. We are confident that we will still provide our customers with a first class service and so this planned closure will still go ahead."

All Feltham staff have been guaranteed positions at nearby branches when the centre closes after Christmas but they have repeatedly voiced concerns that the Hounslow office will be unable to cope with the added pressure.

We'd like to hear from you.
Send your stories, pics and videos