SNP MSP for Glasgow Sandra White and MP for Glasgow East John Mason today condemned the Passport Services decision to axe over 100 jobs at Glasgow's passport office.

Ms White has campaigned against the job losses, including holding a parliamentary debate on the subject, and for Glasgow's passport office to remain a fully operational passport service.

Ms White said: "I am very disappointed and fear this is the final nail in the coffin for the future of passport services in Scotland.

"This is a very, very serious situation with nearly 50% of the posts going.
 

"It is a huge blow.

"The Passport Office's claims that there has been a fall in demand in Glasgow are simply wrong.

"Passport applications have been diverted away from Glasgow to other centres.  Scotland will now be the only part of the UK without a full passport office."

SNP MP John Mason who called for full passport services to remain in Glasgow during the recent Glasgow East by-election said: "The passport office is a vital public service and people across Glasgow will be affected by the decision to axe over 100 staff.

"This is an issue that was raised with me on doorsteps across the constituency and one there was already a lot of anger over.

"Confirmation that these redundancies are going ahead will devastate all those employed at the centre and raises serious questions about its future and confirms how out of touch the UK Government really is"