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The Tory government has been accused of using Scotland as a “guinea pig” for more callous attacks on the poor.

The Record can reveal that plans are afoot to shut down eight Jobcentre plus offices in Glasgow, including those in some of the UK’s most deprived areas.

The move appear to contradict DWP guidelines which say that job centre closures should not take place unless alternative premises are less than three miles away or no more than 20 minutes in public transport.

Opponents believe the closures will lead to further misery for those already facing draconian benefit sanctions as the Tories drive home crippling austerity measures.

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And whistleblowers who contacted the Record believe Glasgow is being used as a template by the Government amid secret plans to roll out similar closures UK-wide.

Chris Stephens MP for Glasgow South West said: “This decision is simply morally outrageous. It will result in the poorest communities not being serviced by a job centre and make it even harder for those seeking employment to get support.

“Thousands of people will now have to travel further at additional cost to attend their appointments.

“Approximately 68,000 people in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit in Glasgow will be impacted by these closures.

"Given the brutal sanctions regime this will mean that the numbers facing sanctions will undoubtedly increase.

“It will also mean that those seeking assistance from the Department for Work and Pensions will have to call expensive 0345 numbers – the so-called “telephone tax” - to speak to an advisor about their claim which places the cost of Job Centre closures onto the people it should be assisting.

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“These plans make Glasgow the guinea pig, as I fear the closures announced will be used as a template for further closures across Scotland and the UK.

"George Osborne and Iain Duncan Smith may have gone but their ideas clearly live on in this Tory government which simply does not want to support people into employment.

“These closures also raises the question as to how staff at the remaining Job Centres will cope with such a change in how they operate?”

The measures will mean that people will need to spend more money out of their pocket to travel and could face delays when trying to make appointments - bringing the risk of further sanctions on benefits.

The UK government leased properties in 1998 to an offshore company called Tele-Trillium, the prime contractor of 96 per cent of DWP buildings. The contract ends in March 2018.

The Government is thought to be offering a seven to eight week public consultancy period, which could result in protests.

On Average the number of people affected in a Glasgow Constituency is 1500 Jobseekers Allowance claimants, 7100 Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants, and 1100 Universal Credit claimants.

(Image: Google)

The Jobcentre plus offices in the frame for closure are believed to be:

1. Parkhead - Norman House

2. Bridgeton - Muslin Street

3. Easterhouse

4. Castlemilk Arcade

5. Langside - Battlefield Road

6. Anniesland - Herschell Street

7. Cambuslang - Main Street

8. Maryhill Road