Baroness By fordasked Her Majesty's Government:
As part of the rationalisation programme, how many Jobcentres have been shut in smaller towns in 2003; how many are due to be shut in future; and where thereafter the administration of the social fund will be carried out for each closure. [HL536]
§ Baroness Hollis of HeighamThrough the introduction of Jobcentre Plus we are seeking to improve access to our services for all people of working age. Each district is different and local managers are best placed to determine how to meet the needs of the local community. As each of our 90 Jobcentre Plus districts develops its plans for introducing the new service, local MPs, stakeholders and organisations representing our customers are fully consulted.
We are using the opportunity afforded through this modernisation programme to review where we need to locate offices, taking into account the new processes we are introducing, demographic change, transport links and many other factors. In many cases Jobcentres and social security offices are located in close proximity, and we must carefully determine which buildings to retain and refurbish.
A full list of all the office closures so far, including social security offices, and their impact on the delivery of social fund has been placed in the Library.
Jobcentre Plus is currently looking at plans for the remainder of the rollout period, up to March 2006. I am sorry that I cannot provide details of future planned closures until this work has been completed.