Local MP Hugo Swire has asked the Government to reconsider the decision to close Sidmouth job centre. Mr Swire raised the issue during a statement on Employment at Westminster yesterday by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mr James Purnell MP.

Local MP Hugo Swire has asked the Government to reconsider the decision to close Sidmouth job centre.Mr Swire raised the issue during a statement on Employment at Westminster yesterday by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mr James Purnell MP.He said; Like so often, the headline announcements by the Government do not bear close examination. It is all very well announcing a moratorium on jobcentre closures due next year, but it is not much good to my constituency, which saw all three of its jobcentres close in January in Sidmouth, Exmouth and Axminster. "Will the Secretary of State pledge today that he will re-examine whether there is a genuine case to reopen jobcentres, especially in deprived areas? Two of my wards in Exmouth-Town and Littleham-are in the upper quartile of deprivation on the national indices. Will he look at whether there is a genuine case for reopening jobcentres where they are needed-close to the people who need access to them?"In response Mr Purnell said he could give a guarantee that the Government would provide the services that people need. "That is our commitment. We deliver services now through Jobcentre Plus, children's centres, GP surgeries and other community settings. If there are ways in which he thinks that we should improve the service in his area, I shall be happy to listen to them," he said.