08 February 2023 , 14:43
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Workers have reacted angrily with the Department for Work and Pensions' announcement that it plans to close 20 job centres.
More than 50 jobs will be put at risk by the scheme, which emerged on Tuesday night and sparked fury from GMB members.
It's understood future plans could lead to more closures and further job losses.
Eamon O’Hearn, GMB National Officer, said that the plans would also undermine the Government's talk of "growing the labour force".
“The proposal to close DWP sites will not only cost jobs but will undermine Government rhetoric about growing the labour force," he said.
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More than 50 jobs will be put at risk by the scheme (Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock)"Closures will undoubtedly impact on services and represent a screeching U-turn on the original programme to extend the reach of DWP into communities.
“GMB members, who work as security at these sites, will have their jobs and futures put at risk.
"This plan makes no sense when the Government is touting warm words on growth and employment.”
It is the latest poor economic news for the country hit by the cost-of-living crisis.
Issuing its quarterly monthly outlook, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research has claimed that the UK “will likely avoid a protracted recession” this year - but economic growth “will remain close to zero” at just 0.2%.
And last week the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that Brits are set for more misery this year as the economy will slam into reverse - seeing the worst performance of all the advanced nations.
In its latest World Economic Outlook update, the IMF downgraded its UK gross domestic product (GDP) forecast once again, predicting a contraction of 0.6% against the 0.3% growth pencilled in last October as Britain looks set to suffer more than most from soaring inflation and higher interest rates.
The grim outlook for the year ahead puts the UK far behind its counterparts in the G7 group of advanced nations and the only country - across advanced and emerging economies - expected by the IMF to suffer a year of declining GDP.
Among the other G7 nations, the IMF's 2023 GDP predictions show growth of 1.4% in the United States, 0.1% in Germany, 0.7% in France, 0.6% in Italy, 1.8% in Japan and 1.5% in Canada.