§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what definition he uses of a reasonable distance when determining access to a jobcentre; [124667]
(2) what percentage of the population lives (a) within one mile of and (b) over three miles from a job centre in (i) rural and (ii) urban areas. [124671]
§ Ms Jowell[holding answer 5 June 2000]Responsibility 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 Caroline Flint, dated 12 June 2000:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning the distances people live from a Jobcentre and the definition of a reasonable distance when determining access to a Jobcentre. These are issues which fall within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.I am afraid that we do not collect information about the distances at which jobseekers, or the population more generally, live from their nearest Jobcentre. However, with over 1000 Jobcentres nationwide, very many people will live within 3 miles of the one nearest to them.As to the definition of a "reasonable distance", it may be helpful to explain that jobseekers are normally required by regulations made under the Jobseeker's Act 1995 to attend a Jobcentre in person each fortnight in order to confirm that they are available and actively seeking work and that their circumstances have remained unchanged. Where, however, a jobseeker lives more than one hour, by public transport (in either direction), from their nearest Jobcentre; or if their attendance would result in an absence from home of more than four hours; or if they have a mental or physical disability which restricts their mobility, then they will be offered the opportunity to have their claims dealt with by post.In addition Jobcentre Managers may also exercise discretion in offering this facility to other jobseekers, even if their journey is possible within the time limits set out above, in circumstances where it would be unreasonable to expect a jobseeker to attend; for example, where they would have to use a form of transport which they could not be expected to use on a fortnightly basis, such as an Intercity train, a ferry or a plane.