FIRST Minister Carwyn Jones wrote a letter to Damian Green Immigration minister, urging him to rethink plans to close Newport passport office, ahead of last night's announcement that the consultation will be extended.

Dear Damian,

When the IPS announced the arbitrary closure of the passport office it delivered a crushing blow to Newport. The threatened loss of 300 jobs in a city that has more than its share of economic difficulties is damaging and unjustified.

Only 12 months ago the Newport office was being hailed as a “beacon service” by the IPS. I urge you to reconsider your proposal.

In the meantime, it is vital that the period of consultation on the office’s future be extended. This is due to end on 18 January but, so far, unions and staff have been denied access to vital information without which any consultation cannot be meaningful.

Specifically, I would be grateful if you would provide me with the following information:

  • The Economic Impact Assessment on the effects of the closure on Newport and the surrounding area;
  • The Equality Impact Assessment examining the ability of the IPS to continue to provide services on an equal basis to customers in Wales, particularly taking into account requirements of Welsh language provision;
  • The Customer Service Network plan showing how the IPS proposes to offer quality services to the people of Wales with a greatly reduced presence.

I have visited the Newport passport office and have spoken both to management and staff.

I have been impressed by their dedication to providing quality services.

I am equally impressed by their flexibility. It seems very clear to me that the staff themselves have imaginative ideas about the office’s future that have not been taken into account.

At the very least, staff and unions should have access to the full range of information prepared by the IPS on the future of their office.

Even at this late stage I hope you will re-think your plans. Newport can ill-afford job losses on this scale.

Yours sincerely

CARWYN JONES