A COUNCIL leader said the results of an economic study into the Newport passport office must be revealed urgently.

A report from the House of Common’s Welsh Affairs Select Committee last week said it was “extraordinary” that a economic impact study was not conducted before the government said it wanted to shut the office.

Currently being completed, the Identity and Passport Service's study will assess what impact the closure of the Newport office or any of the other regional offices would have on their local economies.

Newport Council’s own equivalent study showed that closing the office will hit the city for £37 million worth of lost jobs, investment and retail spending.

Newport council managing director Tracey Lee has written to the Identity and Passport Service asking when the results of the economic impact study will be published.

Matthew Evans said the findings of the House of Commons’ Welsh Affairs Select Committee will give the council more ammunition to fight for the full service to be kept in the city.

Council leader Matthew Evans, who gave evidence to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee’s hearing on the passport office, said he fully supported the MPs’ views and its call for the government to ensure the concerns raised in the report are fully taken into account.

At the hearing Mr Evans argued that it would be in IPS’ interest to bring even more services in Newport because of the low rents on office space available.

“We have put forward a strong case for the retention, and even consolidation, of the full service in the city,” he said.

“We must see the results of the immigration and passport service’s economic study urgently.”

Ms Lee added: “The council is doing all it can to ensure the passport office remains open in Newport.

“The results of our economic impact study highlight that closing the passport office will have a detrimental impact on the city and we now await with interest the results of the IPS survey.”

A spokeswoman for IPS said: “IPS are currently examining the information submitted to date in response to the formal consultation and will consider how best to present any additional economic information that is required.”