NEWPORT Passport Office workers have now received letters telling them their jobs are at risk.

Ben Rapier, of the Public and Commercial Services union, said employees who did not apply for jobs at the branch have received letters informing them their jobs are considered surplus.

This means 140 people have been told they are at risk of redundancy as the Identity and Passport Service’s plan to cut the size of the Newport passport office in half following its announcement in May goes ahead.

According to the IPS, 137 employees were taken on in the smaller, replacement passport office.

Those who didn’t are now being put into a “redeployment pool” for other civil service vacancies, according to Mr Rapier.

Employees are also being offered the chance to opt for voluntary redundancy and, if they do, they will be leaving at the end of January.

Those who do not take up the offer are at risk of compulsory redundant.

An IPS spokeswoman said: “IPS is committed to minimising compulsory redundancy, and will support Newport staff in finding suitable redeployment opportunities.

“Voluntary redundancy will be offered to those who are unable to secure a suitable alternative role.”