Union fears over DVLA jobs at regional offices

Most DVLA staff work at the agency's headquarters in Swansea

Up to 1,500 jobs at DVLA offices across the UK could be cut, with 320 of them in Wales, claims the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

It says a leaked government memo shows plans to shut 39 regional licensing offices, including three in Wales, and 10 enforcement centres.

The DVLA employs some 5,000 at its headquarters in Morriston, Swansea where services would be centralised.

A DVLA spokesperson said no decision had been made.

The union said plans to shut most local DVLA offices threaten the jobs of 269 at a site in Swansea Vale, 38 in Cardiff, and another 13 in Bangor.

That Swansea Vale office is separate to the DVLA's main headquarters, three miles away in the city, and the PCS says the reorganisation plans could see some work and jobs moved there.

'Best use of our resources'

The union wants talks with transport ministers and has pledged to fight the closure plans, saying any compulsory redundancies could lead to industrial action.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The staff have proven time and again that they are highly efficient, but the government now plans to throw almost 1,500 skilled workers on the scrapheap."

The DVLA spokesperson said: "As with all public sector organisations, DVLA has to ensure that we make the best use of our resources and expertise to continue to provide a good service to our customers."

"We are considering how the services currently offered at DVLA's regional offices can be best provided to ensure we operate in the most efficient and cost effective way."