§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which DSS offices in Scotland have been designated(a) core, (b) flexible and (c) surplus under the DSS change programme. [14827]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information has been placed in the Library.
The proposed transfer of responsibility for the DSS estate aims to improve value for money, increase ability to match accommodation to changing operational needs and bring in private sector expertise in managing estates, leaving the Department to concentrate on its core business.
The Department has reviewed its future estates needs and, for the purpose of the procurement, categorised its accommodation in three ways: core means an expected continued need for accommodation over the full 20-year duration of the proposed contract; flexible means that the agency will be able, but not committed to, vacate such property over a period of years should that reflect operational needs, which does not mean a formal decision to leave the accommodation at any particular time; and surplus means it is not required from the start of the contract. The agency is currently paying for a considerable amount of unoccupied space.
Any proposed office closures continue to be subject to the normal consultation process, including ministerial approval.