DVLA axe will see 19 Shrewsbury staff lose jobs

Nineteen jobs are to go after the Government announced it is to close Shropshire's only Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

The DVLA centre on Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury, is one of 39 regional centres across the country to be axed.

Roads Minister Mike Penning said the centralisation of services would save about £26 million a year.

It is hoped some of the staff will be able to move to Swansea and no offices will close until late next year.

Mr Penning said: "These changes, developed after carefully listening to views expressed at consultation, will ensure that the agency delivers a smarter service to bring real benefits for the motor industry and every motorist in this country.

"I understand that the phased closure of the regional offices will come as a disappointment to those directly affected.

"I would like to thank the staff in these offices who have played an important part in DVLA service delivery over the years."

Labour MP John McDonnell, chairman of civil service union the Public and Commercial Services's parliamentary group, said it would have a 'devastating effect' on the service and that it ignore 'the needs of drivers and small businesses, the elderly and those who are not IT literate'.

He went on: "This is a Government car crash. Their manic office closure programme will be entirely counter-productive."