Written question asked by Justine Greening (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 April 2006. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Thursday, 27 April 2006 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Jobcentres

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker's allowance and incapacity benefit claimants were dealt with in the Putney jobcentre in (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 18 April 2006]: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.Letter from Lesley Strathie:"The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many Jobseeker's Allowance and Incapacity Benefit claimants were dealt with in the Putney Jobcentre in (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06. This is something which fall within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.""Information on the total number of claimants dealt with in Putney Jobcentre during 2004–05 and 2005–06 is not available. However, Putney Jobcentre had on average 1649 claimants to Jobseeker's Allowance during each day of 2004–05 and 1700 during each day of 2005–06.""Incapacity Benefit claimants could have used Wandsworth Social Security office (now the site of Wandsworth Jobcentre Plus) for any enquiries, or they could have contacted a processing centre by telephone. They would not have used the Putney office.""I hope this helpful."

Secondary information