Five Citizens Advice Scotland branches in Glasgow to close

CAS said it had no choice after losing bids for contracts to another consortium.

The five bureaux are in Easterhouse, Pollok, Castlemilk, Parkhead and Bridgeton.

The decision was made despite a financial offer at the weekend by the rival group, Glasgow Advice Agency, designed to ensure the services continue “seamlessly”.

The city council said there is “no need” for any of the Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) to close.

But Susan McPhee, CAS acting chief executive, said: “This is a really shocking situation and we are deeply disappointed that the people of Glasgow will lose so much expert advice just when they need it most.

“The recession has really battered the city and things have been made worse by the government’s public spending cuts and welfare reforms.

“As a result many Glasgow families are really struggling, demand for CAB advice has never been higher and staff at all of these offices have never been busier.”

The city council put its advice contracts out to tender last year in four lots, ending with the total being split between the two groups.

The authority said the intention was to allow smooth transition of services through subcontracts with no need for redundancies.

An email sent on Saturday from Glasgow Advice Agency to Bridgeton CAB stated: “GAA have been negotiating extensively to ensure we can get the best deal possible for all our subcontractors and allow advice services in the city to continue seamlessly from 1st April 2012.

“We are delighted to confirm we will be able to offer Bridgeton CAB a contract award to ensure the budget for your agency is sustained at the level awarded by Glasgow City Council in 2011-2012.”