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Dept for Work and Pensions;Jobcentre Plus

Answer

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of Jobcentres proposed for closure have been kept open following consultation. [196977] Jane Kennedy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member. Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Paul Holmes, dated 17 November 2004: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning what percentage of Jobcentres proposed for closure have been kept open following consultation. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide the information you have requested. It may be helpful if I explain that the process of sharing early plans with local stakeholders means our service delivery arrangements may change several times until we have a robust service delivery plan which meets the needs of the local community. Even after this plan has been approved and shared with stakeholders it is subject to change as the district progresses through a period of detailed design. District managers will keep local stakeholders informed of changes where they occur. Consultation is an integral part of the planning process for rollout, and we consult very widely and listen carefully to all comments and views we receive. Of course, we will not be able to satisfy the demands of each and every stakeholder, but my district managers are happy to meet with local people to discuss how decisions have been arrived at. I understand that you have visited the Jobcentre Plus office in Chesterfield, but if you would find a further visit to see the new Jobcentre Plus service at first hand useful I would be happy to set this up for you. The new technology and process we are introducing enables customers to conduct more of their business with us by telephone and Internet. When they need to visit one of our offices it will usually be by appointment, with personal advisers tailoring the service to meet their needs. We are also able to deliver some of our services from other locations, perhaps using partners' premises for advice and information sessions or locating a touch-screen Jobpoint in community premises, as part of an overall plan for delivering services in the area. We are pleased to be able to enhance the service we offer in this way where it is appropriate. Our aim is to introduce a radically improved service for all of our customers to give them the best opportunity of finding work and to pay the benefits they are entitled to correctly and promptly.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c1654-5W;426 c1657-8W; 196977

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Closures Jobcentres Jobcentre Plus

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk