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Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the (a) organisations and (b) agencies with whom his Department consulted before deciding upon the locations for (i) office closures and (ii) job reductions. [190676] 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. Chris Ruane dated 26 October 2004: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the organisations and agencies with whom his Department consulted before deciding upon the locations for office closures and job reductions. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. Jobcentre Plus has consulted at a national level with a number of key stakeholders concerning service delivery planning in Jobcentre Plus. These stakeholders included: Confederation of British Industry MIND (National Association for Mental Health) Royal National Institute for the Blind Child Poverty Action Group National Council for One Parent Families National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux Royal National Institute for the Deaf Third Age Employment Network Homeless Network Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion Trades Union Congress Local Government Association Carers UK The other parts of the Department for Work and Pensions have been kept informed of the plans for change in Jobcentre Plus, and there has been liaison with the Countryside Agency and DEFRA on the rural impact of our plans. At a local level District Managers consult with local stakeholders on early plans for changes to service delivery arrangements. Local managers are required to consult widely as an integral part of the planning process, and the guidance to managers includes a suggested list of stakeholders: Local MPs/MEPs/MSPs/Members of the National Assembly of Wales Local Authorities--both councillors and officials of various departments (for example, Benefits, Social Services) Programme Providers/service delivery partners Employers A sample of key employment providers and their representative bodies, such as the local chambers of commerce Citizens Advice Bureaux Welfare rights organisations and organisations representing specific client groups (RNIB, RNID, DIAL, Gingerbread, representatives of local ethnic minority groups and other local organisations ) Other Government Agencies (the Probation Service, Connexions, Careers Wales/Scotland, Inland Revenue, and especially the Countryside Agency) Health Authorities/primary care trusts/local GPs Learning and Skills Councils Local Colleges Government Regional Offices Housing Associations Police Landlords/Joint Tenants Groups of customers directly if wished This list is not exhaustive and local managers should identify any other local stakeholders. The views and concerns received are addressed before approval is granted to progress to more detailed planning. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c1182-4W;425 c1182-3W; 190676

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Closures Civil servants Department for Work and Pensions Jobcentres Government departments Jobcentre Plus Location

Link

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