HC Deb 21 March 1997 vol 292 cc1024-5W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when work commenced in the Cheetham Hill and Chorlton Benefits Agency offices in order to facilitate the transfer of activities from the Great Ancoats street office; [21490]

(2) when consultation about the closure of the Benefits Agency office in Great Ancoats street, Manchester, was promised to the hon. Member for Stretford; when that consultation took place; and who was consulted; [21488]

(3) what consultation took place between the Benefits Agency and the Contributions Agency about the closure of the Great Ancoats street Benefits Agency office; [21486]

(4) when the decision to close Great Ancoats street Benefits Agency office was published by Ministers; [21489]

(5) what plans there are for access by claimants from the Ancoats area of Manchester to Benefits Agency offices following closure of the Great Ancoats street office. [21487]

Mr. Roger Evans

The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 21 March 1997: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your five recent Parliamentary Questions relating to the closure of the Benefits Agency (BA) office at Great Ancoats Street. As part of the Estates strategy the Area Directorate has given priority, in 1996/97, to projects that would allow it to maximise the use of space in those buildings considered necessary to its operations in the medium and long term. Work commenced at the BA offices at Cheetham and Chorlton on 3 March 1997 to convert space, currently used only for the storage of files, into office accommodation. The announcement of the consultation exercise about the proposed closure of the BA office at Great Ancoats Street began with consultation letters being issued to Members of Parliament, including yourself, customer representatives and liaison groups on 23 November 1996. Of the 110 letters issued, only 17 responses were received. Of these 6 expressed concerns on the proposed closure. The consultation period ended on 6 January 1997. The Contribution Agency has been consulted through regular meetings on the proposals for Great Ancoats Street and has been kept closely informed of developments. The decision to close the Agency's Great Ancoats Street office was made on 13 March 1997 and was announced by the Area Directorate to staff, and local and area trade unions on 14 March 1997. On the same day, letters were sent to all parties involved in the consultation exercise. Six BA offices at Cheetham, Chorlton, Longsight, Openshaw, Rusholme and Salford will remain following the closure of the Great Ancoats Street office. Customers living in the Ancoats area will be able to attend offices in Cheetham and Chorlton should they wish to attend a BA office in person. In addition for unemployed customers there are 4 Job Centres at Alexander Park, Cheetham, Moss Side and Newton Heath, within 2–3 miles of the Great Ancoats Street site. Customers can also choose to contact the BA offices by post or telephone. Recent enhancements to the office telephone systems will provide a more efficient telephone service. I hope you find this reply useful.