By Stewart McConnell

Copyright dailyrecord

Councillors unanimously passed a motion on Wednesday condemning the UK Government’s decision to close Cambuslang Jobcentre. Cllr Katy Loudon put forward the motion at the full council meeting, with the move meaning residents will have to travel to Rutherglen. It was previously reported that Cambuslang Jobcentre is to close by January with customers and staff to be transferred to the Rutherglen centre two miles away. The motion read: “Council notes with deep concern the UK Government’s announcement on the proposed closure of Cambuslang Jobcentre, as one of two slated to close across the UK. Council deeply regrets that this decision was made without prior consultation with elected members, affected communities, service users, DWP unions, or employees – especially since the Jobcentre was saved from a proposed closure in 2017 after a widely-supported campaign, which successfully argued that a closure would have a hugely detrimental impact on local communities. “Council understands that several hundred local residents have signed a petition against this new announcement, and that Cambuslang Community Council have called for a reversal of the Department for Work and Pensions decision on a number of grounds, including the disproportionate impact it would have on vulnerable people, and those living in areas of deprivation. “Council notes that Cambuslang Jobcentre is co-located with many other vital services within Cambuslang Gate such as health services, addiction recovery services, housing services, and social work. Further, Council notes that the Jobcentre is adjacent to one of our partner organisations, the award-winning employment champion Routes to Work South. Council understands that Routes to Work South supported over 1600 local people into employment last year alone through packages of tailored support and training, and believes that losing the geographic link between it and Cambuslang Jobcentre would be a great loss for both this organisation and the community. Council is also concerned by the loss of income to the Council should the DWP not extend their lease in this central town-centre location, and any further potential financial liabilities. “As such, Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Department for Work and Pensions to state its opposition to the plans.” Cllr Loudon, who successfully campaigned to save the facility from closure in 2017 said: “It was a huge blow during the summer recess when the news broke that it was under threat again. This decision makes absolutely no sense in the case of Cambuslang. Rutherglen is 35 to 40 minutes away by bus from the Greenlees area – it was made without prior consultation with elected members, trade unions or employees. “This really is astonishing.. I commend Cambuslang Community Council for their unequivocal stance on this matter. They are proposing some form of outreach service like a community hub. Several hundred local residents have signed a petition against this and the community council will not take this lying down. The Jobcentre is in with health services, addiction services and social work as well asRoutes to Work. Rutherglen South councillor Carol Nugent, seconding the motion, added “The repercussions go way beyond Cambuslang. The Rutherglen Jobcentre has been closed as money is being spent on it to make it fit for purpose and my constituents are having to Cambuslang for services. This is really a false economy. The closure is a blow to Cambuslang town centre and will reduce football and other local services.” Labour councillor Margaret Walker said there was nothing to justify the closure and it would have a “detrimental impact” on the people of Cambuslang. Lib-Dem councillor Norman Rae added : “The closure would have a significant impact on the town centre and those who access the Jobcentre. I wrote to the DWP but have not had a substantive reply.” A spokesperson for the DWP previously said : “This relocation helps us use our buildings more efficiently, without affecting the service we provide. Customers can still access local face-to-face services, with our analysis showing all live within three miles of Rutherglen job centre. “Ahead of the relocation from Cambuslang, we are undertaking significant improvements to the Rutherglen site to create a more modern working environment for staff and to better serve our customers. “For the safety of staff and customers while the work is ongoing, Rutherglen Jobcentre will need to temporarily close from September 2025, reopening January 2026.” *Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .