Decommissioning Temporary Jobcentres

Mims Davies Excerpts

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mims Davies)]

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: