STAFF at a government centre in Cumnock have been left uncertain of their future after it was announced their office will close.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that its Child Support Agency administration centre based at Killoch House in the Caponacre Industrial Estate will close.

The closure comes as part of an announcement that seven Jobcentres across Scotland and another eight DWP administration sites will shut.

It means that staff will be transferred to either Ayr or Kilmarnock by the end of the year. Cumnock Jobcentre on Townhead Street is to be retained however.

The move leaves 84 workers at the office uncertain over their futures.

Union shop steward and team leader at the Cumnock base, Gordon Larmour said: “There’s real uncertainty. They can’t move us all together.

“There’s got to be a full consultation to take place still before we know exactly what’s happening. There’s been no indication that there will be job losses, but it could mean some members of staff from places like Muirkirk, Sanquhar and Thornhill getting to wherever they get relocated.”

Local politicians for the area have vowed to back workers.

Ayr, Carrick & Cumnock SNP MP, Corri Wilson said: “This announcement is extremely worrying for Cumnock and the staff currently working in Killoch House. While there has been some discussion regarding possible relocation to other sites, people are understandably concerned about their futures, the possibility of redundancies, and the knock-on impact on local businesses.

“It is utterly disgraceful that the UK Government are planning to now scrap even more of the DWP estate in Scotland, on the back of recent HMRC cuts in Scotland, which we were told wouldn’t happen if Scotland rejected independence in 2014.

SNP MSP for Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley, Jeane Freeman added: “I was angered to hear of the plans to close the DWP facility at Killoch House in Cumnock.

“This is another high-handed announcement from the DWP, with no prior notice or consultation. My concern is for the people who work there who may have to transfer to Ayr, Kilmarnock or lose their jobs. We need to have jobs throughout Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley to enable our communities to thrive.

“We need the DWP to justify closing this service, and to engage in proper consultation with staff and the local community. If it is about saving money, then perhaps they can explain where the savings will come from.

“I will work closely with Corri Wilson MP and the Scottish Government to fight these closures and resist this latest round of cuts in our community.”

Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said: “The DWP need to make changes to the way they provide services but I share the real concerns people have over the closure of the Killoch House administration centre in Cumnock. It is bound to cause uncertainty and the important thing now is to work together to ensure jobs can be relocated smoothly. I am very pleased that, as part of DWP’s plans, Cumnock’s Jobcentre will be staying open so people can continue to access the help and support they need to get back to into work.”