Newport City Council’s leader has taken the campaign to retain the full passport service in the city to the House of Commons.
Earlier this week Councillor Matthew Evans gave evidence to the Welsh affairs select committee which was examining the proposal to close the Newport office but retain a small counter service.
The council also gave a written submission to the committee detailing why Newport should remain the home of the Passport Office.
“We have made a strong and compelling case to the committee and believe it should recommend to the government that the office and the jobs should remain in the city,” said Councillor Evans.
“We recognise that these are difficult times and cuts have to be found but it would make far more sense economically to keep and even expand the service here rather than taking it away.
“We have always made it clear that, despite our robust opposition to the closure proposal, we are keen to continue to work with the IPS to find the right solution for the future of the service.
“Newport can offer new accommodation, a quality service and reduction of overhead costs compared with those in London. We are strategically located and have an excellent workforce. Businesses and other government departments that have relocated in the city speak highly of what we have to offer.
“We will continue to do whatever we can to persuade the government that retaining the full Passport Office in Newport is not just the best option for the city, the employees and the customers but for the service itself.”
On Tuesday, the campaign to fight for the Passport Office received cross-party support from city councillors.
It was unanimously agreed the council should continue to lobby the government to ensure the service was fully retained in Newport.
