HC Deb 01 July 2002 vol 388 cc84-5W
23. Brian White

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what types of personal advice users of Jobcentre Plus are entitled to receive. [63408]

24. Linda Gilroy

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are receiving services from Jobcentre Plus. [63409]

26. Judy Mallaber

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to make jobcentres more responsive to the needs of those who are out of work. [63412]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

In April this year we created Jobcentre Plus to bring together the Employment Service and the working age functions of the Benefits Agency. Jobcentre Plus provides a work focused service to all benefit claimants of working age, providing services to around five million people. Jobcentre Plus aims to deliver further improvements in customer service throughout its entire network of jobcentres and social security offices.

Jobcentre Plus provides a full range of advice on employment and training opportunities combined with comprehensive benefit advice. This advice is tailored to the individual needs of the people using the service and will help them to move from welfare to work while ensuring they have the support they need while doing so.

56 new Jobcentre Plus offices are already providing the fully integrated and work-focused service which we will extend progressively to cover the whole of Great Britain over the next four years. We have already announced that we plan to open around 225 more integrated offices by April 2003. As part of this upgrade to the service, everyone of working age who is making a new or repeat claim for benefit in these offices will participate in a work-focused interview with a Personal Adviser and be offered their continuing support.

28. Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit offices are Jobcentre Plus offices; and when it is expected to complete the changeover. [63415]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

In April this year we created Jobcentre Plus to bring together the Employment Service and the working age functions of the Benefits Agency. Jobcentre Plus provides a work focused service to all benefit claimants of working age, providing services to around five million people.

56 new Jobcentre Plus offices are already providing the fully integrated and work-focused service which we will extend progressively to cover the whole of Great Britain over the next four years. We have already announced that we plan to open around 225 more integrated offices by April 2003.