‘Serious implications’ of Wadebridge Job Centre closure
North Cornwall’s MP, Dan Rogerson, is fighting plans to close the Job Centre at Wadebridge, claiming that the office is a vital resource for vulnerable people in communities in much of the surrounding area.
The proposals were put out for consultation this week by Job Centre Plus Devon and Cornwall District Manager, Phil Weeks, who told the Liberal Democrat MP that the move could be necessary to save cash but that they would look at what services they might offer to people on an ‘outreach’ basis in other venues.
Mr Rogerson says he will argue against the closure – but, if it goes ahead, he’ll press for job centre staff to make regular visits to Wadebridge and to Padstow, which is served office by the threatened office, but is around fifteen miles from the nearest remaining Job Centre at Bodmin.
Commenting, Mr Rogerson said:
“Closure of the Wadebridge office would have serious implications for Padstow and the surrounding villages too.
“Many of the people job centres help do not own a car and are in financial straits. A fifteen mile journey to Bodmin simply isn’t an option for them.
“Travelling surgeries can never be the same as having an office which people know is there for them whenever support is needed.
“If we are to move towards such a system, I hope that the job centre will work with the new Cornwall Council – should it go ahead – to develop services inside the offices that the Cornish local government bid proposes to set up in each of Cornwall’s principal communities.”
