Several more jobcentre branches are set to be axed over the next few months as part of a DWP shake-up, despite ongoing Universal Credit failures.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said more drop-ins will be closed and relocated two years on from changes that left more than 750 workers jobless.
"We will always make sure that people have the support they need to get into and progress within work," explained Damian Hinds, Minister for employment.
"These changes reflect the fact that more people access their benefits online resulting in many of our buildings being underused."
In previous comments, the DWP explained the cuts will save more than £140million a year over the next decade, and will offer better 'value for the tax payer'.
In 2017, it said that 80% of Jobseeker’s Allowance and 99% of Universal Credit applications were already being made online.
However, there are concerns that the closures could exacerbate problems for families on the six-in-one benefit, which has come under scrutiny for its lengthy wait periods and persistent payment errors since launching in the UK in 2013.
Branches that have closed so far this year
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Caernarfon, Govt Buildings, Penralt, LL55 2HN
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Lichfield, Guardian House, Birmingham Road, Lichfield, WS13 6JG
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Hounslow, 10 Montague Road, TW3 1LE
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Bracknell, Fitzwilliam House, Skimped Hill Lane, Bracknell, RG12 1JX
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Bristol Yate, 39 South Parade, Yate, Bristol, BS37 4BB
Branches that are closing in late 2019 and 2020
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Brentwood, Fairfield Road, Brentwood, CM14 4SB - September 2019. Facilities to be merged with local authority.
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Hatfield, 64 Great North Road, Hatfield, AL9 5AE - July 2020. Branch will be relocated to a new building.
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Evesham, Abbey Road , Evesham, WR11 4SA - closing date to be confirmed. Branch will be relocated to a new building.
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Malton, Norton Road, Malton, YO17 9RD - closing date to be confirmed. Facilities to be merged with local authority.
