A VALLEYS MP is fighting plans to close the job centre in Newbridge. Don Touhig, Under Secretary of State for Wales and MP for Islwyn, said although unemployment is now very low in the constituency, he felt very strongly the job centre should not shut.
Mr Touhig told the Argus he has raised his concerns with managers at JobCentre Plus, adding: "The centre is an important facility for local people and its staff do a tremendous job.
"I have been in consultation with the management to explore alternative ways of continuing these services in case closure cannot be avoided." The MP believes one option could be a satellite facility, which would keep a face-to-face service in the town.
"With this in mind, I have put them in touch with the Newbridge Memo and Institute," he said.
"I will be keeping closely in touch with developments." Caerphilly council is also opposing the closure of the centre, and of Ystrad Mynach job centre, which are scheduled to shut as part of a shake-up resulting from the reorganisation of the JobCentre Plus service.
A spokeswoman for JobCentre Plus said last week that the present locations of the centres at Newbridge and Ystrad Mynach could change in summer 2004.
"But job-seekers from Newbridge will sign at Blackwood and those who normally use Ystrad Mynach will be able to use either Blackwood or Bargoed, whichever is closer."
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