§ Mr. Viggers:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the development of a Jobcentre Plus office in Gosport. [141827]
§ Mr. Browne[holding answer 10 December 2003]: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.
694WLetter from David Anderson to Mr. Peter Viggers, dated 15 December 2003:
As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply direct to your question about the development of Jobcentre Plus in Gosport. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
Jobcentre Plus has been established to deliver a radical change in the way that benefits and employment services are provided to people of working age. By 2006, we plan to introduce a network of around 1,000 fully integrated Jobcentre Plus offices.
Through the development of these new modern offices, Jobcentre Plus will provide an integrated, work-focused service to all people of working age. The introduction of work-focused interviews is extending the opportunity to more people to take advantage of the help, guidance and support we can provide to assist them to move into sustainable employment. We are also introducing new services for employers, which will help them fill vacancies more quickly with well-prepared and motivated employees.
The Jobcentre Plus Implementation Programme for Hampshire commenced in June 2002. Early on in the process, it became apparent that, for Gosport, the existing Jobcentre premises in South Street would not be suitable for the delivery of the new Jobcentre Plus services.
Following a lengthy search and subsequent negotiations, suitable premises have now been secured. Work to convert and refurbish the site, situated next to the Iceland store in Walpole Road, commenced Monday 1 December, with the new office, which will offer the full range of Jobcentre Plus services, due to open in May 2004. While the work is in progress, the existing Jobcentre in South Street, together with the Social Security Office in the High Street will continue to operate as normal. In May 2004, following the opening of the new office, the existing Jobcentre in South Street will close. In addition to the new premises in Walpole Road, the Social Security Office will continue to offer access to the Social Fund and issue counter payments to customers.
I hope this is helpful.
§ Mr. Andrew Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will answer the letter from the hon. Member for Isle of Wight of 14 October 2003 about Jobcentre Plus jobs on the Isle of Wight. [142967]
Mr. Brownev[holding answer 9 December 2003]: I regret we have no record of the hon. Member's letter. If he would send a copy to me I will arrange for it to be considered urgently.