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<p>There are no plans to assess poverty levels in connection with closures of individual
sites such as Easterhouse and Parkhead Jobcentres.</p><p> </p><p>I would stress again
that the office mergers are not about reducing services, but about taking the opportunity
to stop spending money on empty space so we can spend more on supporting those in
need. The face-to-face support our work coaches offer at jobcentres will continue
to be a core part of the service we deliver.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>National
statistics on the number of individuals in relative low income are set out in DWP’s
annual "Households Below Average Income" publication. Latest 3-year estimates
for Scotland in 2013/14 - 2015/16 show the rate of individuals in low income households
at 15% Before Housing Costs. The number and proportion of individuals in relative
low income is not available at a local authority or constituency level because the
survey sample sizes are too small to support the production of robust estimates at
this geography. Estimates to 2016/17 have been pre-announced to be published in March
2018.</p><p> </p>
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