SNP Spring Conference today (Sunday) unanimously supported a resolution expressing concern about the UK Government's Identity and Passport Services (IPS) plans to axe over 100 workers at the Glasgow Passport Office and redirect postal applications services to England.

Commenting after the vote Glasgow MSP Sandra White, who has been campaigning on the issue and spoke in the debate, said: "I welcome this overwhelming support. Over 100 jobs are to be lost in Glasgow and many more throughout the UK as a result of this decision and staff at other centres in the UK are now asking themselves who will be next.

"Many people are concerned that they may end up having to travel to England to have their passports renewed and the IPS is unable to issue any assurances that this will not happen.
 

"Staff also feel that they are being used as a test to see if the IPS can drive through these changes, likening it to the way the Poll Tax was introduced.

"It is good to see that the SNP support the retention of these services and that the party is putting its weight behind the staff's campaign."

Also speaking in the debate was fellow Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris who said:

"There has been concern for some time that the passport office in Glasgow was being run down.

"Postal passport applications from the South of Scotland, Lanarkshire and the Lothians have been finding their way to offices in Peterborough and Durham instead of coming to Glasgow as they had always done.

"This is not just about the loss of 100 jobs but about the removal of a vital service from Glasgow and from Scotland.

"Scotland must keep passport services.

"It is simply unacceptable that Scotland and possibly even Northern Ireland and Wales will be left without these essential passport services."

Note:

Resolution: SAVE SCOTLAND'S PASSPORT OFFICE

Conference is alarmed at proposals to make around 100 staff redundant at Scotland's Passport Office Glasgow , notes that it appears the passport office has been deliberately run down with applications being sent elsewhere in the UK ,condemns the lack of consultation with both workers and trade unions over the move , is concerned that this is the first step to closing over the counter services and other passport operations within Scotland leading to the loss of passport services in Scotland and asks that the Scottish Government make representation to Immigration and Passport Services as a matter of urgency.