§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many jobcentres were(a) open and (b) closed in each region in each of the last 10 years; and how many closures are currently planned; [48297]
489W(2) if he will list the name and location of each jobcentre which has been designated for closure. [48294]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 1998:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning the opening and closure of Employment Service Jobcentres. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.It may be helpful if I explain that the Employment Service's Agency Framework Document includes provision for the Chief Executive of the Agency to make changes to the Jobcentre network. This provision reflects the need to make adjustments from time to time in response to changing circumstances and needs.With regard to your question on the numbers of Jobcentres which have been opened and closed over the last ten years, I regret that I am not able to provide the full information you have requested. Between 1989 and 1995 the Employment Service rationalised its estate through a programme of 'integration' which brought together the previously separate networks of Jobcentres and Unemployment Benefit Offices. During this period the Employment Service estate was reduced by over 900 offices to a total of approximately 1,030 locations. Since December 1995, 10 Jobcentres have been closed and details of these are shown in the attached annex.As far as planned closures are concerned, we are currently proposing closure of Dronfield and Eckington Jobcentres in Derbyshire, following public consultation, and considering closure of Liphook Jobcentre in Hampshire and Padiham Jobcentre in Lancashire on which public consultation is currently taking place.I hope this is helpful.
Annex Office Area Full/part time Date of closure Gorleston Norfolk Part time December 1995 Bourne Lincolnshire Full time March 1996 Kirkby in Ashfield Nottinghamshire Part time March 1996 Blaenavon Wales Part time July 1996 Kidwelly Wales Part time July 1996 Pontardulais Wales Part time July 1996 Penygroes Wales Part time July 1996 Buckley Wales Part time August 1996 Burgess Hill West Sussex Full time September 1996 Stocksbridge outreach facility1 Sheffield Part time December 1996 1Stocksbridge outreach facility was a local arrangement maintained on a part-time basis by staff from Hillsborough Jobcentre