The First Minister Mark Drakeford has agreed to ‘explore’ the devolution of welfare administration in a landmark victory for the proposal by Plaid Cymru.

Rhondda AM Leanne Wood is to hold her first benefits advice surgery this week.

Rhondda AM Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said:

“I’m more than pleased that the joint PCS / community campaign to keep DWP jobs in the Rhondda has been a success, and that staff from the Porth office will be relocated to Tonypandy instead of being forced to travel to Caerffili. 

Here is a copy of a letter sent to the UK Government earlier this week in response to the DWP’s plans to relocate their debt management centre out of the Rhondda. If you agree with me that this move would deliver a big blow to the local economy, please sign this petition.

DWP Don't close the Debt Management Centre in Porth

This petition is now closed.

Many thanks to the hundreds of you that took the time to sign. 

Although the argument to close the centre in Porth was lost, it is heartening that the jobs will remain in the Rhondda.

Hearing the announcement that the jobs will be relocated to Tonypandy, Leanne said

“I’m more than pleased that the joint PCS / community campaign to keep DWP jobs in the Rhondda has been a success, and that staff from the Porth office will be relocated to Tonypandy instead of being forced to travel to Caerffili. The Rhondda could not afford to lose these jobs - our local economy would have taken a hard blow it cannot afford. Today’s decision is in line with the wishes of the loyal workforce who have been providing an exemplary service for their employers and for the people they serve.

“However across Wales, the picture isn't as positive. In Llanelli, Mountain Ash, Tredegar and Pyle the local DWP offices are to be shut with hundreds of jobs lost to those local communities. This is a decision driven by the Tory government’s austerity agenda and not by the needs of our communities and our people, and is another example of why Plaid Cymru wants to see powers over Job Centres devolved to Wales so that we can protect these services from the Conservative government.”

Here is the original text of the petition:-

The proposed closure of the Department for Work and Pension’s Debt Management Centre in Porth will have a devastating impact on the area.  More than 90 people are employed at this facility in Oldway House on the edge of the town centre.   

Many local businesses in the town centre also rely on the custom provided by local workers.  If you agree that the DWP should rethink and retain what is Wales’ only DWP debt management centre, please sign the petition below.  Please forward to friends and family to sign as well.

Here is part of the letter that Leanne has written to the DWP ....