Wednesday 8th November 2023

(5 months, 3 weeks ago)

Written Statements
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Mims Davies Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mims Davies)
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I previously provided updates on decommissioning temporary jobcentres: “Expanding Our Services” on 23 March 2021, and “Expanding Our Services Update” on 21 October 2021. These statements reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to reducing its jobcentre estate back to pre-pandemic levels by decommissioning these temporary jobcentres—or the additional space in established jobcentres—in a phased approach, where the increased capacity is no longer needed. The full list of temporary jobcentres and their current status can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/temporary-jobcentres-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic

As part of this ongoing, phased approach to decommissioning the temporary jobcentres, the Department is today announcing the fifth and latest phase, which consists of decommissioning a further 25 temporary sites— or additional space in existing jobcentres. This latest phase brings the total number of temporary sites announced to date to 139. Subsequent phases of decommissioning will follow in 2024 and Parliament will be kept updated. Details of the sites being decommissioned are listed below.

The decommissioning of temporary jobcentres will not reduce the levels of service, or access to face-to-face appointments. Customers will return to being served by an established jobcentre and there will be no reduction in the number of work coaches supporting customers as a result of the decommissioning.

The Department continues to support and update colleagues in a timely and sensitive manner. We also remain committed to ensuring that all relevant stakeholders, organisations and Parliament are engaged and regularly updated on our work. Letters are being sent to each right hon. and hon. Member with changes in their constituency, to explain what this means for their local jobcentre, its staff and their constituents.

Finally, in conjunction with this carefully planned decommissioning programme, we are looking to improve and upgrade jobcentres over time. It is important that all those who come to jobcentres are given the highest level of attention and service in the best possible environment.

The 25 temporary jobcentres or additional space in existing sites to be formally decommissioned are:

Phase 5

Temporary Jobcentre Location

Address

Ashford

Unit 112, County Square Shopping Centre, Elwick Road, Ashford TN23 1AE

Ayr

Unit 20 Luath Walk

Bexleiheath

Nit 83-84 The Mall, Broadway Shopping Centre, Bexleyheath DA6 7JJ

Bolton

Orlando Bridge, Thynne Street, Bolton BL3 6AX

Canterbury

Unit 4, 6-8 Longmarket, Canterbury CT1 2JS

Colchester

14 Headgate, Colchester C03 3BT

Darlington

Suites 1-3 The Beehive, Lingfield Point, Darlington DL1 1YN

Glasgow

200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB

Gloucester

44-50 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1QN

Hereford

6 Trinity Square, Hereford HR1 2DR

Hull

40 Whitefriargate, Hull HU1 2HN

London Uxbridge

1 Park Road, Uxbridge UB8 1WS

Luton

500 Capability Green, Luton LU1 3LU

Maidstone

Unit 2, Lower Boxley Road, Maidstone ME14 2UU

Northampton

Princess House, Cliftonville Road, Northampton NN1 5BW

Redditch

82, Evesham Walk, Kingfisher Shopping Centre, Redditch B97 4HA

Redruth (additional space only)

Piran House, Nettles Hill, Redruth TR15 1JN

Rochdale

50a Market Way, Exchange Shopping Centre, Newgate, Rochdale OL16 1EA

Stockport

National House, 80-82 Wellington Road North, Stockport SK4 1HW

Swansea

Unit 7 Parc Tawe North, Swansea SA1 2AA

Telford

Titan House, Euston Way, Telford TF3 4LY

Wakefield Waterfront

Navigation Warehouse, Navigation Walk, Wakefield WF1 5RH

Warrington

Ground Floor, Tannery Court, Tanners Lane, Warrington WA2 7NA

Widnes (additional space only)

Kingsway House, Caldwell Road, Widnes WA8 7EA

Wrexham

3-9 Hope Street, Wrexham LL11 1BG



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