UNION officials are set to hold a public meeting over proposals to cut the number of people who work in the Newport Passport Office in half.

On Monday Identity and Passport Service chief executive Sarah Rapson announced that staff would have to reapply for 150 remaining jobs at the office, with 120 positions to be lost.

Now office staff representative Ben Rapier said a public meeting will be held next Tuesday to discuss what steps can be taken to fight the cuts at the regional office.

Mr Rapier, branch organiser for the Public and Commercial Services union, said employee was being pitted against employee.

He said: “Our members are still angry and very concerned about their future.

“We need to put pressure on the employer to keep as many jobs as possible.”

The union is currently balloting civil servants over whether it should take national strike action over UK government cuts.

The meeting will take place at the Kings Hotel on Tuesday at 6.30pm. Speakers will include John Griffiths, assembly member for Newport East.

Meanwhile first minister Carwyn Jones said his Welsh Government joined with workers at the passport office in expressing “great regret and indeed anger” at the UK government’s decision.

In response to an urgent question on the office from Lindsay Whittle, the new Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East, Mr Jones said: “This is an exceptionally sad day, not just for Wales, but also for the people who work in the office.”

He said the Welsh Government now wanted to ensure that the passport office, which is due to leave Olympia House in 2013, is able to secure new premises, and would do all it can to help those who will lose their jobs.