The closure of a 'lifeline' women's service has caused 18 workers to lose their jobs and left a charity facing tens of thousands in redundancy costs.

Turning Point 218 was forced to close its doors on Wednesday after the council released an "unworkable" budget of £650,000 last year.

Now, the Glasgow Times can reveal the closure has cost 18 people their jobs.

Turning Point Scotland (TPS) has been slapped with a £179,325 redundancy bill.

The service, which helped female offenders get back on their feet, employed 32 workers.

In light of the closure, five resigned, eight took alternative posts and 18 were made redundant. New positions in TPS were found for nine members of staff.

Linda Pollock-Wilson, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite is deeply saddened that the vitally important 218 service for women has been put on the scrap heap by Glasgow City Council with no intervention or care from the Scottish Government.

"18 people have lost their livelihoods due to the closure and we fear women who used the residential service will now be pushed into custody and be trapped within the justice system."

A spokesperson for Glasgow's Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) said that while they recognised there would be anxiety, Turning Point Scotland (TPS) was responsible for the employees.

Kenny Crawford, director of finances and resources at TPS, said: “All 32 members of staff within 218 service were supported alongside Unite the Union through consultation to identify suitable options for redeployment to enable the organisation to retain the knowledge, skills and experience of valuable staff members.

"Fortunately, nine members of staff could be redeployed to suitable positions across Turning Point Scotland.

"However, despite all our efforts, we are disheartened to confirm that five members of staff resigned and 18 members of staff were made redundant.

"The redundancies resulting from the closure of 218 cost Turning Point Scotland a total of £179,325.

"Turning Point Scotland are saddened by the loss of this service and the redundancies that resulted from it as well as the outcome for vulnerable women trapped within the justice system.”

Linda said: "Many serious questions remain unanswered by Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government on how this needless decision to withdraw funding was allowed to happen.” 

A spokesperson for the HSCP responded: "Equally, and again recognising the concern for the women they work with, 218 was not an alternative to custody. 

"It worked with women on community orders and the review wasn’t able to evidence outcomes for women who had used the service, including further involvement in the justice system.”