WALES' First Minister Carwyn Jones today urges the government to save Newport's passport office - and says we should fight to keep it open.

Our petition against the planned closure of the office which employs 300 people has now won the backing of 22,000 people.

And in an article written for the Argus, Mr Jones writes: "We need to protect public services and that’s why I am backing the South Wales Argus’ campaign to save Newport Passport Office.

"None of us should let this decision go without a fight and I urge the UK Government to change its mind and keep open this important service for Wales."

Mr Jones says the decision is also a major snub to Wales.

First Minister, Carwyn Jones' appeal

"Closing the Newport Passport Office with the loss of 300 jobs was an extremely disappointing decision. The announcement, coming immediately on the back the hugely successful Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor earlier in the same week, is a serious setback for the area.

The decision, together with plans to cut four regional passport offices in Wales, means the loss of 327 jobs and will undoubtedly have an impact on our fragile Welsh economic recovery.

In addition to the serious impact of job losses on the local economy of Newport, if this closure goes ahead, it will mean Wales will be the only part of the UK without a Passport Office.

To compound matters, this decision is one of many that highlight the lack of consultation between the UK Government and the people of Wales.

The Welsh Assembly Government received no advance warning of this announcement.

Back in May, the UK Government promised a respect agenda in terms of their relationship with us, yet we were not informed of this decision beforehand.

Decisions like this and the announcement - or indeed lack of announcement - on the future of the Defence Academy at St Athan, the electrification of the mainline between South Wales and Paddington and the decision not to include Wales in sites for the new superfast broadband pilot areas show a disregard for Wales in its own decisions.

These decisions show just how hard Wales could be hit under the UK Government's spending plans.

You might say you expect me to say this, but I am not alone in expressing concern at the speed and depth of cuts.

The independent leading accountancy and management consultants Price Waterhouse Coopers has warned that 52,000 public and private sector jobs could disappear in Wales if Ministers in London proceed with their plans.

Public investment plays a greater role in our economy and the recent Spending Review will hit us harder than other parts of the UK.

Wales is already under-funded by £300 million a year, a fact not disputed by the UK Government.

However, they have linked a review of how we are funded to the Referendum in March when the people of Wales will be asked whether the Assembly should be able to use its powers more freely. By making this connection, a “No” vote in that Referendum will mean no extra money for Wales. We simply cannot afford to go down that route.

We need to protect public services and that’s why I am backing the South Wales Argus’ campaign to save Newport Passport Office.

None of us should let this decision go without a fight and I urge the UK Government to change its mind and keep open this important service for Wales."

Carwyn Jones, First Minister