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LOCAL LABOUR POLITICIANS CONDEMN CLOSURE OF ONTOWORK
West Dunbartonshire MP Gemma Doyle and local MSP Jackie Baillie have condemned the SNP administration at West Dunbartonshire Council for confirming that they are proceeding with plans to withdraw funding from a vital employability programme.
Both Gemma and Jackie joined the Ontowork team last week as they presented Deputy Council Leader Jonathan McColl with a petition of nearly 1000 names calling for Ontowork to be saved. After the petition was presented, Ontowork representatives supported by Jackie and Gemma had a short meeting with Jonathan McColl. At the meeting, Ontowork presented their case for keeping the service open and questioned the accuracy of the Council figures.
Despite this, Councillor McColl sent a letter to Ontowork this week confirming that West Dunbartonshire Council were proceeding with plans to withdraw funding from Ontowork and repeated his belief that the Council’s alternative employability programme would be better value for money.
Local MSP Jackie Baillie said:
“I am deeply disappointed that Councillor McColl has confirmed that the Council will no longer support the Ontowork programme. At a time when West Dunbartonshire residents are struggling to find employment, Ontowork reflected excellent value for money. Indeed the cost per job outcome was £850 and in the last two years the Ontowork team helped 477 West Dunbartonshire residents into work.
“It is therefore complete madness to scrap Ontowork and replace it with an alternative with a cost per job outcome of £2770. How can this be better value for money?
“Unfortunately the SNP group at West Dunbartonshire are jeopardising the employment prospects of hundreds of local people and this will have a significant impact on our local economy.”
Gemma Doyle added:
“Ontowork do valuable work supporting those furthest from the job market back into work and there is no doubt they have been treated very badly. I am entirely unconvinced that the council will fill the gap left by the closure of this organisation.
“The SNP council are making the wrong decisions for our area. At a very difficult time, we need more support for people trying to get jobs, not less.”