THE Jobcentre Plus network has announced office closures all over the country.

Some sites which will be closed will be merged with the nearest main office.

In Gwent, a branch in Tredegar is set to be merged with the main Jobcentre office in Ebbw Vale, while the Blackwood centre will be replaced.

The decision was made to close stores as a result of large amounts of unused office space.

Several other offices are to be merged, including the Caerphilly centre with Porth.

Two back offices will also be merged under the plans - the office in Porth with one in Caerphilly, and the office in Llanelli with the main office in Swansea.

Damian Hinds, minster for employment said: “We will always make sure that people have the support they need to get into and progress within work, that’s why we are recruiting 2,500 more work coaches to help those who need it most.

“As more people access their benefits through the internet many of our buildings are under-used. We are concentrating our resources on what we know best helps people into work.

“The changes we’ve announced today will help ensure that the way we deliver our services reflect the reality of today’s welfare system.”

Under the plans, a consultation is to be held with claimants who would have to travel more than three miles (5km) or 20 minutes by public transport to sign-on.