The DWP is planning to shut its Springburn office in Glasgow, where 139 people work.

The Springburn proposal is part of a plan to shut 40 offices with more than one thousand jobs at risk across the UK.

Glasgow South West SNP MP, Chris Stephens, asked an urgent question in the House of Commons highlighting the impact on deprived communities.

He asked: "Can the minister confirm that the announcement could mean 3,000 jobs at risk of redundancy in the Department of Work and Pensions? And what measures is he going to ensure that this does not happen?"

Stephens also claimed the DWP was "looking to close offices in high economic deprivation areas" which he said was "counter-intuitive to the so-called levelling-up agenda".

Work and Pensions minister, David Rutley, said: "In terms of our plans, we, as I said, have been working very closely with colleagues and with PCS over recent months.

"There are going to be around 12,000 colleagues who will be moving from one site to another in close proximity, around 28 sites involved there.

"In terms of colleagues that will be affected where there is no other strategic site nearby, there are around 1,300 colleagues that could be involved."

The Springburn site is one of the 28 where re-location to an alternative site is to be carried out.

PCS union said At least 1,000 jobs are at risk over the closure of 13 processing sites, with more job losses feared over the closure and relocation of a further 29 sites. Closures are scheduled to happen by June 2023.

PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka said: “Their union will be there for them, fighting for their jobs. But if they need support from the state, who will provide it when they’re gone?”

Other Glasgow politicians are concerned by the closure announcement and are making their vies known to the  DWP

Labour MSP, Paul Sweeney, said closure will be a blow to the area.

He said: “This proposed list of DWP office closures includes Springburn in Glasgow, with the loss of 139 jobs in one of the most deprived districts of our city.

“At a time when demand for social security services is higher than ever, the closure of the Springburn site will be devastating.”

Bob Doris, Maryhill and Springburn SNP MSP, said: "DWP plans to shut Springburn Job Centre is a slashing of support available to those claiming benefit, a body blow to Springburn regeneration efforts and a kick in the teeth to many committed staff. I am seeking an urgent meeting with DWP to raise these very real concerns."

Anne McLaughlin, SNP MP for Glasgow North East, said: "The removal of these jobs from Springburn will have a terrible knock-on effect on the local economy which is still in the process of recovery after an extremely difficult two years.

"We want to see neighbourhoods that people can live and work in, supporting local businesses to thrive but loss of 139 jobs will be devastating to the community and it is clear no thought has been given to how this will impact the people involved or the wider area."

A government spokesperson said: “As part of plans to improve the services we deliver to claimants, help more people into employment and modernise public services, DWP is moving some back office staff to better, greener offices, which will not affect any public-facing roles.

“This is not a plan to reduce our headcount – where possible, our colleagues in offices due to close are being offered opportunities to be redeployed to a nearby site, or retrained into a new role in DWP or another government department. We are making every effort to fully support our staff through this process.”