A protest is set to take place on Saturday over the Government’s plans to close Barrow’s DWP office, putting 40 jobs at risk.
Workers, based at Phoenix House, deal with thousands of claims for asbestos-related disease, including those from people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell, unions PCS and TUC and the Asbestos Victims Support Group said their work was vital and shutting the office would see a huge amount of knowledge around the complex subject lost for good.
A demonstration will be held in front of the Spirit of Barrow Statue at 1.30pm.
Joanne Gordon, chair of the Asbestos Victims Support Group’s forum, said: “This knowledge coupled with the understanding of the need for expediency for victims of asbestos-related diseases is so important. This knowledge has been built up over time which will be lost if the office closes. Victims of asbestos related diseases are already paying with their lives, they have a right to have their benefits dealt with quickly and with understanding.”
Campaigners said some of the service has already moved to other offices and the forum has reported delays and lack of knowledge of asbestos related diseases which is causing vulnerable people to be stressed and anxious.
Andrew Knowles, of the PCS, added “These workers are passionate about the work they do and the customers they support. With decades of expertise that is invaluable to the individuals that they support. The loss of this expertise can only further add to the difficulties faced by the victims of asbestos.
The site also provides valuable jobs in the town, there are few to zero redeployment opportunities for these staff. For Barrow this means further economic levelling down, rather than levelling up.”
The groups are urging as many people as possible to attend the demo to save jobs and a vital service.
A petition has also been launched against the closure and can be signed here at www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/stop-the-closure-of-phoenix-house-keep-asbestos-experts-in-barrow
Conservative MP Mr Fell has also presented a petition to Parliament against the move.
He said: “The threat to our community is beyond the more than 40 jobs that are at risk. Because of our proud industrial heritage, we have a disproportionately higher rate of related illnesses that the amazing team at Phoenix House help and support with their benefit payments.
“It is widely accepted that Phoenix House is no longer fit for purpose. Through the regeneration projects going in the town, however, there are ample suitable alternatives to house this team, and it is essential that we all do our best to retain this service in Barrow.”
Mr Fell said he intended to join the demonstration. He added: “The weight of feeling from Furness based residents is very clear. I’ve been working together with unions, staff, service users, other MPs in Parliament on a cross party basis and campaign groups.
“I’ll be joining members of the public in the demonstration against the plans on Saturday, and I’ll continue to press the Government on this.”
