Union demands new social security jobs go to those already facing redundancy

There are demands for workers who are facing redundancy in job centre closures to get first refusal for hundreds of posts at the new Scottish social security agency,

Glasgow is going to share 1,500 jobs with Dundee, where the new body will have its headquarters.

The PCS Union is asking the Scottish Government and UK Government to work together to ensure anyone losing their job at either HMRC call centres or job centres be given the opportunity to apply for the new posts.

PCS National Officer Lynn Henderson said, “Today’s announcement show the progress we have made with the Scottish Government in designing a Social Security service that works for both staff and service users.

“In both Glasgow and Dundee, there are scores of experienced public servants who we hope will be offered positions in this new Agency.

“PCS continue to meet with the Minister on a regular basis. We recently produced a report outlining the views of our members on the development of social security in Scotland, which we hope that she will take into account when making decisions about policy and delivery. ”

The new agency, which is expected to be fully operational by 2021, has been given the powers to deliver eleven newly devolved benefits.