Five Scottish centres face axe as DVLA cuts bite

More than 1,200 employees face an uncertain future after plans were announced yesterday to axe all 39 regional offices of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Designed to save £28 million a year, the proposal was said by the government to be part of plans to make dealing with the DVLA easier for motorists and businesses.

But Labour said the timing of the announcement, just before Christmas was “particularly insensitive”, while the Public & Commercial Services Union (PCS) said the news was “devastating for staff”.

The 39 offices include five in Scotland – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness. The regional offices are expected to close by the end of 2013, roads minister Mike Penning said. Ten of the centres include DVLA regional enforcement centres.

Under the government proposals, the work at the centres will be centralised at the DVLA’s headquarters in Swansea in South Wales.

Mr Penning said: “This is a major step change which will make dealing with the DVLA easier and quicker for motorists and businesses up and down the country.”

But PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “With unemployment and inflation remaining high, these cuts to local communities are outrageous and unnecessary, and will further weaken economies crying out for investment.