HC Deb 26 January 1989 vol 145 cc749-50W
Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what are the estimated annual savings incurred by the closure of the employment benefit offices at(a) Lanchester, County Durham and (b) Willington, County Durham;

(2) what are the staffing implications arising from the decision to close the employment benefit offices at (a) Lanchester, County Durham and (b) Willington, County Durham.

Mr. Lee

The estimated annual savings incurred by the closure of Lanchester and Willington part-time unemployment benefit outhouses will be approximately £1,100 per annum and £900 per annum respectively. Closure of these offices will allow existing staff resources to be used more productively on linked work in the full-time unemployment benefit offices.

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements will be made to cover the transport costs of claimants affected by the proposed closure of the employment benefit offices at(a) Lanchester, County Durham and (b) Willington, County Durham.

Mr. Lee

Claimants who live six miles or more from their nearest local office and disabled persons or those with significant travel difficulties will no longer be required to attend for their fortnightly claims but will be able to make these by post.

In most cases, claimants who currently attend the Lanchester and Willington part-time offices should be able to attend the nearest local offices at Stanley or Crook respectively. These offices have bus services from Lanchester and Willington and the fares are reasonable for claimants to meet from their own resources.