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Leanne Wood is concerned about the prospect of 93 jobs being moved from Rhondda to Caerphilly - as part of proposed Jobcentre closures.

Last week, the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed seven Welsh Jobcentres are earmarked for closure, and that two "back of house" offices - in Porth , Rhondda and in Llanelli - would also be axed.

Oldway House, in Porth, would be "merged with the main office in Caerphilly" - and although the DWP said its intention was not to make redundancies, Rhondda AM Ms Wood has criticised the move.

In a letter to Damian Hinds MP, UK Government Minister for Employment, the leader of Plaid Cymru has said it is not reasonably possible for Rhondda staff members to commute to Caerphilly each day.

She added that the job losses would be "devastating" for the town of Porth.

Impact on 'local jobs and local economy'

Ms Wood wrote: "I must protest at your plans in the strongest possible terms because of the impact it will have on local jobs and the local economy.

"My understanding is that 93 people currently work at Oldway House, in what is the DWP’s only debt management office in Wales. While this number represents a decline on the 150 people that once worked there as recently as ten years ago, it remains a significant employer."

The letter adds: "From being in touch with some of the workers at Oldway House, I have been told that relocation to Caerphilly – as has been proposed - would not be possible for many staff as many live locally and do not have the means to travel there or cannot spare the extra commuting time.

"It would have a devastating impact on the local economy as Oldway House is located within Porth town centre and many small businesses on the High Street enjoy the custom provided by staff.

The office brings custom to Porth

"Porth recently lost two bank branches and I fear that the loss of operations at Oldway House, and the custom it brings, will tip many struggling small businesses over the edge."

The Porth Jobcentre on Hannah Street will remain unaffected by the changes, and, when asked about the affect of the jobs moving from Rhondda to Caerphilly, a DWP spokeswoman told us that individual discussions will be held with staff to agree on their redeployment.

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