Tory MSP Dean Lockhart says a hearing of the Scottish Affairs Committee has taken evidence on the job centre closures also.

Mr Lockhart says concerns have been expressed by constituents on the proposed closure of job centres.

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He says the announcements should have been handled better and he says all eight proposed closures in Glasgow should have public consultations.

The Tory MSP says he hopes this debate and the Scottish Affairs Committee considerations will help inform the DWP.

He says: "We do think that the rationale behind the reorganisation has been made clear by the DWP."

Mr Sarwar says he welcomes comments from George Adam that he will fight "until his dying breath" to stop job centre closures and says he hopes that the SNP MSP will do likewise for closures at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

The Labour MSP says the UK government sanctions people for not turning up to their fortnightly visit then it makes it more difficult for people to get there.

"I would expect better from the UK government," he says. 

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar says there has been some surreal moments, such as Alex Cole-Hamilton supporting a Labour amendment which does not exist.

Mr Sarwar says Tory MSP Bill Bowman is just a "glass empty person".

The Labour MSP thanks DWP staff for the work that they do.

He says he supports the government motion and thinks it is very measured. 

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan says he welcomes the announcement that some will be given subsidised bus journeys for additional meetings over and above their fortnightly meetings.

Mr McMillan says not everyone has access to technology and the so called old-fashioned way is absolutely vital. 

The SNP MSP says no one has tested the distance that claimants will have to travel other than on Google maps and this is "shameful". 

He says the Tories in this chamber "should be ashamed of their party".

"I confess I do have a grievance against Westminster," he says.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill says these closures will cause ill health .

Ms McNeill says online digital access for Glaswegians is the lowest uptake for the country.

"Half of Glaswegians don't even have a computer," she says.

The Labour MSP says the Tories cannot hide behind "the fig leaf of the process". 

She says claimants will still require to sign on every two weeks and a satellite cannot help with that. 

SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor says for many vulnerable individuals there are already enough barriers without these closures.

Mr MacGregor says, when money is tight, an additional bus journey can be problematic. 

The SNP MSP says that this can have an impact on user's mental health.

Mr MacGregor says Tory governments have "ripped the heart out" of local areas. 

Tory MSP Bill Bowman says it is important that public services adapt to meet changing demand. 

Mr Bowman says the changes are about creating a fit for purpose network to meet the needs of those who need them most. 

Employability Minister Jamie Hepburn intervenes to say this debate is about those who are not in employment. 

Mr Bowman says he was going on to say that there are those out of work who need the job centre network.

He says he has a background in business and it is always important to look at ways in which things can be done better.

SNP MSP Sandra White says she is confused by Mr Cole-Hamilton's contribution and does not know whether he is supporting the Tory amendment or not.

Ms White says that Mr Cole-Hamilton said in his speech that he does support the amendment.

She says Mr Tomkins amendment is "feeble".

The SNP MSP says closing 50% of job centres is not "flexible or adaptable" it "is detrimental to Glasgow and the rest of Scotland."

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says he supports the motion.

Mr Cole-Hamilton says the DWP are right to point out that more claims are being made online but the job centre still provides "vital face to face consultation".

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Green MSP Ross Greer says "every Conservative speech has been an absolute disgrace" with not one of them being prepared to stand agasinst these cuts.

Mr Greer says the DWP proposals to close job centres are "nothing short of despicable".

He says the number of people dying prematurely having been sanctioned, even by suicide, is far too high.

The Green MSP says thankfully new social security powers will allow the restriction of the number of sanctions in Scotland.

He says: "That will save thousands of people in Scotland from that suffering."

The Green MSP says as more job centres are closed it will become more difficult to make appointments.

Conservative MSP Gordon Lindhurst says the strength of feeling George Adam exemplifies the good work of job centres.

Mr Lindhurst says the context of the job centre closure proposals is the natural end of contracts with the DWP, which provides an opportunity to reassess the whole provision of services.

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SNP MSP Ash Denham says now is the time for Conservatives to stand up for their constituents and calls on Mr Lindhurst to "join with us and oppose the closures". 

Mr Lindhurst says stand up for constituents and says that is not just by carrying on regardless.

He says: "We are now firmly entrenched in a digital age."

SNP MSP George Adam says this debate is very personal because his town is "under attack".

Mr Adam says the "heartless Westminster government" has given no consideration to the local economy in closing the DWP facility in Paisley.

The SNP MSP says this facility employs 300 people and they were told at a meeting their office is closing after being told that morning that they were doing a great job.

The SNP MSP says he is yet to receive any correspondance from the UK government on this closure.

He says this is "shocking and shows the contempt they teat people in this place with."

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says the latest wave of closures includes the Alexandria job centre in her constituency.

Ms Baillie says the service will be moved to Dumbarton which is 3.5 miles away.

The Labour MSP says that the UK government has promised a consultation for all closures where the nearest job centre is three miles away.

"I want a consultation," for the Alexandria closure, says Ms Baillie. 

SNP MSP Bob Doris intervenes to say he used to sign on at the Alexandria job centre and the journey between that and Dumbarton is unrealistic.

Ms Baillie agrees.