A GROUP of MPs today criticised the government over its plans to shut Newport passport office, warning the move will have a significant economic impact on the city.

The Welsh Affairs Select Committee said in a report that the significance of the office to Wales was not truly appreciated by the government.

MPs added that it was “extraordinary” no economic impact assessments were done before the decision was announced. Newport council leader Matthew Evans previously said the closure could cost the city £36 million in lost jobs, trade and investment.

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan was also "marginalised" when the decision was being made, the report claimed.

The committee urged the government to re-examine and re-evaluate the criteria on which the decision was based, saying they were not convinced by the argument that long term savings will be achieved.

Calls were made for the government to rethink what a union described as a "vicious attack" on the people of Newport, following the report's publication.

Committee chairman and Monmouth MP David Davies said the closure will have a significant impact on the economy of Newport.

He said: “The government should use the extended consultation period to question again the rationale behind the decision, taking full account of an economic impact assessment, and the whole process needs to be presented in the context of a properly thought-through strategy for the IPS in Wales.”

The report stated that there was a strong case for consolidating services in Newport, following evidence to the committee given by Newport council that office space in the city costs as little as £8.50 per square foot.

The council told the committee that the total potential number of job losses caused by the closure could be nearer to 500.

A spokesman for the Public and Commercial Services union said: “It is time for the Government to rethink this vicious attack on the people of Newport.

“Ripping out the second biggest employer from the city centre has massive consequences in an area that has already suffered substantially.”

Home Office Minister Damian Green said: "I thank the Welsh Affairs Committee for their report into the future of the Newport Passport Office and assure them it will be considered along with all other evidence before a final decision is taken.

"The Identity and Passport Service is currently undergoing a rigorous consultation process on proposals to restructure the application processing centre in Newport. IPS needs to make savings while ensuring it still provides a highly secure passport and an excellent service to customers.

"IPS will continue to provide a passport service in Wales and I have already agreed with the Secretary of State for Wales that we will retain a Customer Service Centre at Newport."

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Committee is right

WE fully back what a group of MPs said yesterday about the closure threat to Newport’s passport office.

The Welsh Affairs Select Committee agrees with us that closure would have a significant economic impact on the city and those in charge should re-examine and re-evaluate the criteria on which this decision was based.

Like the MPs, we are not convinced by the argument that long-term savings will be achieved.

We have said it time and again and our case remains the same. Newport’s passport office, including the processing of applications, should not close.

We agree with everything the select committee said.