§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made in setting up the new agency for working age people. [156802]
§ Mr. DarlingMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and I are establishing the new agency for working age people later this year. We announced on 14 March the locations of around 50 pathfinder offices bringing together labour market and benefit services for people of working age. These offices will be the first stage in the launch of this new Agency.
We can further announce today that the new Agency and its local offices will be called "Jobcentre Plus". We shall be introducing the name "Jobcentre Plus" in local offices as they roll out the integrated benefit and employment service, starting with the first pathfinder offices in October. But, more widely, the new Agency will be referred to as "Jobcentre Plus" ' from today.