A UNION has slammed the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) after it announced three jobcentres will close.

The Worthing, Hastings Ashdown, Hastings Heron centres will close in Sussex between 2018 and 2023.

The move was announced last week, and it comes in relation to a mass office closure programme which will see 153 DWP offices shut by 2023

It puts dozens of jobs across Sussex at risk.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), which represents DWP staff, described it as “nothing more than a cost-cutting exercise” by the Conservatives.

Sharon Leslie, of PCS, said: “We will continue to fight these closures and defend jobs and services. This decision is an attack on the most disadvantaged. Our members have vast experience in supporting claimants that typically need additional support to access employment, such as the young, and those from lower income families.

“This local support will now be lost and people from these groups including our members will be disproportionately affected.

“The government needs to listen to the electorate. Voters rejected austerity in the general election and they should reverse this decision.”

The union claims the government expects staff and claimants to transfer to the nearest jobcentre.

Ms Leslie said: “Many are more than three miles away and more than 20 minutes on public transport from their current office, often even further from where they live. Extended journey times will increase the potential of claimants receiving benefit sanctions if they are late for an appointment.”

The closures will also mean a loss of access to walk-in job search facilities, something that could reduce the employment prospects of jobseekers.

DWP said in a statement: “The announcement confirms that some smaller jobcentres will merge with larger ones, and others will be co-located with local government premises.

“It will mean that the DWP will be able to offer a more efficient service, while delivering good value for the taxpayer and saving over £140 million a year for the next ten years.”