§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost has been of creating Jobcentre Plus offices in each year since 2001–02; and what the estimated costs are for each year to 2007–08. [187347]
§ Jane KennedyThe administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive.
Letter from David Anderson to Mr. David Willetts, dated 7 September 2004:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the costs of creating Jobcentre Plus offices in each year since 2001/02 and what the estimated costs are for each year to 2007/08. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The creation of Jobcentre Plus offices was organised in two separate phases. The rollout did not start until 2002/03. The 56 offices introduced in 2001/02 were known as Pathfinders and were not accounted for as part of the main roll out project. The capital cost of these Pathfinders in 2001/02 was £36.7m.
From 2002/03 the Jobcentre Plus Implementation Project was set up to roll out the remaining offices nationwide. This is a 4-year programme from 2002/03 to 2005/06. The breakdown of the total costs is as follows:
Total £million Percentage Total Staffing 674 30 Total Running Costs 652 29 Total Capital 903 41 Total Rollout Programme 2229 100
The total project spend to date, including accruals, is £817m. The annual costs of rolling out the offices are shown below.