CONFIRMATION that Wallasey's job centre is to be closed has been branded "a brutal assault on the unemployed" by the town's MP.

The Department of Work and Pensions has finally announced that it will close the Jobcentre Plus centre on St Alban’s Road with staff and services transferred to Birkenhead under a merger of the two sites.

But Wallasey MP Angela Eagle said there has been no assessment of how much job-seekers will have to pay to make the extra journey to Hamilton Square.

And she believes it will be a "disaster" for hundreds of people trying to find work.

The move to close the Dominick House-based facility was first announced last August when a six-month consultation over its future was launched.

Ms Eagle said: “The Government’s decision to close Liscard Job Centre is a brutal assault on the unemployed.

"It is disaster for the hundreds of people in my constituency who need help back into employment.

"These people will now have to travel miles and incur additional expenses to get basic support and advice on finding work.

"It is a complete insult to be told that this will improve the service and hard to avoid the conclusion that this is being done deliberately to make it harder for my constituents to attend interviews.

"I opposed this proposal from the outset and will be making my views on this appalling decision known to ministers.

"It is a tragedy and yet further evidence of a Tory Government that is targeting Merseyside hard with brutal cuts with scant regard for the consequences.”

Responding to a parliamentary question from Ms Eagle, minister for employment Priti Patel said: “The Department has no plans to publish the outcome of the consultation”

She has yet to answer the question about keeping a small job centre presence in Wallasey.

A petition has been set up on Parliament’s website to help keep the centre open with nearly 500 signatures.

Campaigners are calling on all those concerned about the threat to Wallasey to sign up.

The job centre helped 3,686 people over the previous 12 months ranging from job-seekers to the long-term disabled people in receipt of social security.

The DWP said there would be no job losses.

A spokesman said: "Staff from Wallasey Jobcentre Plus will be relocating to Birkenhead.

"There are no job losses expected and no impact on services or our claimants."

Sue Riley, Merseyside Jobcentre Plus District Manager said: "The way we deliver Jobcentre services is changing.

"Increasingly Jobcentres are used for booked appointments, as more people access a range of services by telephone and via the internet.

"This provides an opportunity for DWP to review the locations and services, to ensure we get the best deal for claimants, staff and the taxpayer.

"The Wallasey Jobcentre is approximately 2.8 miles away and the journey time using the bus is around 12 minutes.

"At this stage, claimants will not yet be affected. But we will speak with all claimants to explain what the changes will mean for them, nearer to any agreed move date.

"The rationale for this move is strong because we believe we can achieve significant savings for the taxpayer through the surrender of the building."

To view the petition visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/106398