§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are employed by the jobcentre services in the Bridgwater constituency. [115612]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownThe administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Mr. David Anderson to Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger, dated 12 June 2003:
As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning how many people are employed by the job services in the Bridgwater constituency. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.There are a total of 143 staff employed by Jobcentre Plus in the Bridgwater constituency—37 employed at the Bridgwater Jobcentre, 12 employed at Burnham on Sea Jobcentre Plus and 94 staff at the Bridgwater Social Security office. Some functions take 1041W place at Bridgwater for the whole of the Somerset District, including the District Control Point, Jobseeker Direct and Third Party payments. These are all staffed by Jobcentre Plus staff.The District is currently undergoing the conversion of its Jobcentres and Social Security offices into Jobcentre Plus offices. The Bridgwater offices are due to become Jobcentre Plus offices from 28 July 2003. The Burnham on Sea office has already been converted.No reductions in staff are planned in the Somerset district, however there will be a redeployment of work across the district, for example Social Fund work will be moved from Taunton to Bridgwater.I hope this is helpful.