Local MP David Mundell has welcomed confirmation of improved arrangements for those using the Upper Nithsdale Job Centre.
The Upper Nithsdale MP and local councillor John Syme met with the regional manager for the DWP in the West of Scotland John Reid regarding the future of Job Centre services in Upper Nithsdale.
Now, following further consultation and meetings, it has been announced that from October the Job Centre will deliver their outreach service from Kirkconnel Resource Centre on a Monday from 9.30 to 12noon then 1pm to 3.30pm.
It is also proposed that claimants attend a Jobcentre once per month and the Outreach Site once per month. They will be able to select either Dumfries or Cumnock Jobcentre. The attendance at a jobcentre will be limited to a maximum of three times in the first 13 weeks of their Jobseekers allowance claim being made.
This change will reduce the volume of claimants attending the Outreach Site each week, which will increase the amount of advisory service available and lead to an improvement in the quality of the service being delivered.
The majority of claimants currently using the outreach facilities are eligible for the Discounted Travel Scheme so the average travel costs per month would be similar to the costs incurred by Jobseekers across the District. For all new customers Job Centre will ensure that as they approach 13 weeks a DWP staff member will discuss the Discounted Travel Scheme to minimise costs.
Claimants would attend Cumnock or Dumfries Jobcentre on a Monday and staff will build appointments around the transport times.
At least two weeks prior to the new system coming into force staff will discuss the changes with all affected claimants and establish their preferred Jobcentre.
Commenting Mr Mundell said: “Our discussions with the DWP were very positive and recognised the need to balance DWP targets and priorities with the practicalities service users face in this rural region.
“I am pleased that they have now come forward with these changes which can only benefit Job Centre users locally. It is really important to help people find employment and to make sure that people’s time spent looking for work is as productive as possible.
“The last thing you want to be doing when you are looking for a job is wasting large amounts of your time and money travelling to Dumfries just to access Job Centre Services and I think everyone recognises that, “he added.