Written question asked by Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative) on Monday, 29 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 July 2009. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Monday, 13 July 2009 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Jobcentre Plus
- Question
- To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which jobcentres have (a) acquired new office space, (b) extended existing office space and (c) converted existing office space to meet the work demands of higher benefit caseloads in the last 12 months.
- Answer
-
The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the right hon. Member with the information requested.Letter from Mel Groves:"The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking which jobcentres have (a) acquired new office space, (b) extended existing office space and (c) converted existing office space to meet the work demands of higher benefit caseloads in the last 12 months. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.""Jobcentre Plus Customer Service Directors were asked to review their existing service delivery arrangements in meeting the challenge of the current economic climate and taking into account the planned welfare reform changes for the next two to three years. This review took into account the latest known information on the expected increase in business and customer volumes.""This exercise has identified that around 50 per cent. of Jobcentre Plus offices currently face capacity pressures. These pressures will be met through a range of solutions and we are unable to provide the data to fully respond to your questions (a, b and c) until all of these solutions have been implemented.""In the light of the increased customer demand we have embarked on a programme to convert or extend our existing buildings where necessary. In addition we aim to make our services more accessible to customers by providing a range of support through outreach, often delivering advisory and other support on partners' premises. We are supplementing these measures by operating extended opening hours in some locations where the need for this is ""identified locally. This includes some offices opening to the public on Saturday. We will only acquire new space where all other measures are insufficient.""To date estates work has been undertaken on 18 of our buildings to increase our capacity to serve the public and these works are now complete. Detailed estates planning is under way on a further 151 of our buildings. We are finalising our plans to meet the capacity challenge in the remainder of our offices."
Secondary information
- Type
- Written question
- Reference
- 496 c63-4W; 283590
- Session
- 2008-09
- Related items
- Subjects
- Buildings Jobcentres Jobcentre Plus
- Link
- View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk
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