Thamesmead Job Club (Hansard, 7 May 1996)

§ Mr. Austin-Walker
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations her Department held, and with whom, before the decision to close the Thamesmead job club. [28333]

§ Mr. Forth
Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Robert Horne to Mr. John Austin-Walker, dated 7 May 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question, in the absence of the Chief Executive, about what consultations took place, and with whom, prior to the decision to close the Thamesmead Job Club.
Unemployment levels in the District have fallen and there has, as a result, been a corresponding reduction in resources available for Job Clubs.
The District Manager did not take the decision to close Thamesmead Job Club lightly. The decision was made on the basis of a review of all Job provision across South East London, taking into account.

(a) the numbers of eligible unemployed people from local Jobcentres;

(b) cost of Job Club provision;

(c) the performance of local Job Club in helping people find jobs;

(d) geographical location of Job Club and travel patterns.
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The District Manager, his Business Managers and the Programme Providers across the District, taking full account of the demand for Job Club, took the decision to close Thamesmead to ensure an even distribution of available provision.
All eligible clients in the District will continue to have access to a Job Club, and fares will be reimbursed.
I hope this is helpful

§ Mr. Austin-Walker
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will visit Thamesmead to discuss the proposed closure of the Thamesmead job club with unemployed people in the Thamesmead area. [28330]

§ Mr. Forth
Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. John Austin-Walker, dated 7 May 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the closure of Thamesmead Jobclub as the issues raised fall within the operational responsibilities delegated to the Employment Service as an Executive Agency.
The decision to close Thamesmead Jobclub was not taken lightly and was arrived at after a review of all the Jobclub provision within the District.
In reaching the decision to close the Thamesmead Jobclub, we took into account the total number of unemployed people within the Thamesmead catchment area, the cost of the Jobclub provision, it's current performance and referral rates and the overall geographical location of the Jobclub in relation to travel to work patterns.
My District Manager considers that there will be sufficient places available in the existing Jobclubs to meet the local need. Indeed, those attending the Thamesmead Jobclub have been offered alternative placements for which the Employment Service will reimburse their fares in full.
In respect of your request that the Secretary of State visits the clients involved, perhaps the most appropriate course of action would be for the District Manager, Ray Nash, to meet with you and the existing Jobclub members to explain the position. Should you wish to contact him, his telephone number is 0181 308 1618.
I hope this is helpful.