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Dept for Work and Pensions;Jobcentre Plus

Answer

Mr. Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his plans are for each of the Jobcentre Plus offices in the Argyll and Bute constituency. [198518] 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. Alan Reid, dated 16 November 2004: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the plans for each of the Jobcentre Plus offices in the Argyll and Bute constituency. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. All four offices in your constituency have already been rolled out to offer the new Jobcentre Plus services. It is planned that these offices will remain open and continue to deliver an integrated customer facing service, providing a single access point to job vacancies and benefits for all people of working age. It may be helpful if I explain that Jobcentre Plus has reviewed the way in which all our benefit processing is delivered and we have been exploring ways of improving efficiency for some time. We currently process benefits in all the offices within your constituency. The processing teams in each of these offices operate with 8 staff or less and we have concluded that we should consolidate the benefit processing work into a larger site. The move to a centralised operation will concentrate expertise and experience, ensure consistency of decision-making and bring continuity of service, thereby improving customer service. It will also deliver the necessary economies of scale. Our plans for the roll out of the Benefit Processing Centres, including Clydebank Benefit Processing Centre are at an early stage and you will be kept informed of progress as these develop. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c1320-1W;426 c1324-5W; 198518

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Jobcentres Jobcentre Plus Argyll and Bute

Link

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