I SEE that the Jobcentre Plus outreach services in both Tavistock and Okehampton are to be closed.

Employment in the South West is at an ‘all-time high’ says the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), while ‘local jobseekers…will continue to receive our full support’.

This support, however, does not extend to allowing jobseekers in largely rural areas to access these services locally — instead they must travel to Plymouth or Exeter every fortnight at their own expense. The Job Seekers’ Allowance is currently around £60 per week (give or take, depending on age), and the bus fare will eat a significant proportion of that risible income.

Once again, those on benefits are made to beg for what was once called social security, and which is paid for through National Insurance. Yes, insurance.

There was no consultation for service users, but only for ‘stakeholders’. A typical display of government doublespeak to emphasise that those seeking employment are certainly not considered a part of the society in which they are expected to play a part. It’s no wonder many disadvantaged and young people don’t bother to vote.

It was heartening to see the vociferous reaction from Okehampton stakeholders, hugely disappointing to see the utter lack of concern expressed by Tavistock stakeholders, and entirely predictable to note that Mr Cox will be keeping an eye on the employment situation while doing absolutely nothing for these individuals who must now travel so far at their own expense in order to beg for our grudging support.

If it’s inefficient to run decent services in rural areas, then surely the DWP must pay the bus fare. When the next large West Devon business goes under or relocates, will the service be reinstated? I suspect not.

Lynne Roper

Mary Tavy