MP urges minister to support Wick DWP

12.00.00am GMT Thu 2nd Dec 2004

Local MP John Thurso has again urged the Government to support the DWP office in Wick. Speaking at Westminster this week during Scottish Questions, the MP asked Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, Anne McGuire, MP:

"Does it not worry the Minister that long-term unemployment in Scotland as measured by those claiming jobseeker's allowance for more than 24 months rose by 8% between October 2003 and October 2004? In towns such as Wick in my constituency the reason for that is fairly clear: a fall in job opportunities exacerbated by the Government running down the Department for Work and Pensions office in the town. Will the Government use their own resources to help boost employment, and become part of the solution rather than part of the problem?"

Speaking afterwards, John Thurso said:

"I remain convinced that there a real opportunity for the Government to boost employment at Wick through support for the DWP office in the town. I know from discussions with HIE that there is a keen willingness to support such an initiative and it is for this reason that I am meeting the Minster of State for Work and Pensions next week to make clear the opportunity which the Government has to help secure jobs in the town instead of centralising work in areas where they will face recruitment difficulties."