LIBDEMS at Somerset County Council have added their anger to the mounting criticism of the Government and its plans to close the Chard Jobcentre Plus office.

LibDems at County Hall have said the proposals put forward by the Dep-artment of Work & Pensions are like a "slap in the face" for an office that has won awards for its services to the public and employers.

The consultation with key stakeholders on the closure in Chard continues until early July.

Local LibDem councillors are backing Yeovil MP David Laws in his bid to ask as many difficult questions as he can and do the necessary "chest prodding" to make Ministers see sense.

County council deputy leader Justin Robinson said: "In a rural area like Somerset the Government must provide better outreach' facilities for people of working age and work in partnership with the county council, as the Pension Service does very successfully.

"Instead, it hopes people will be happy to sign up to a virtual service', but surely change should be about improvement, so what benefits would there be for individuals chasing work or businesses seeking staff?

"I'm appalled to see yet another im-portant service tossed aside in order to save money."

Last week, members of Chard Town Council voted unanimously in favour of objecting to the closure proposals.

Cllr Jill Shortland said: "This job centre is one of the best in the country. This possible closure doesn't affect the residents of Chard, but the whole surrounding area as well, such as Crew-kerne.

"People will have to get to either Yeovil or Taunton to claim their benefits, and we must object most strongly."

A spokesman for the Department for Work & Pensions said the consultation was still ongoing about the planned closure.