Written question asked by Lord Stunell (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 9 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 October 2009. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Monday, 2 November 2009 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Jobcentre Plus

Question: (2) how many Jobcentre Plus offices closed in each region in each of the last five years.

Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the former Minister of State and the letter from the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves, to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) on 21 April 2009, Official Report, column 650-52W.In light of the current economic conditions and welfare reform changes planned for the next two to three years, a decision was taken late in 2008 to suspend the planned closure of 25 Jobcentres. Three small offices in London, where closure had been previously announced, subsequently closed in March and April 2009. No Jobcentres have closed since April 2009.

Secondary information