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 could be at risk of redundancy at the government department.
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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.
“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, and added that the change “does not impact job centres and the customer-facing interactions”.
Around 42 offices are planned to close in the department shake-up.
13 of those could lose their jobs or be moved to another government department.
While another 29 offices shutting down will mean their 12,000 workers have to move to another site nearby too.
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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