Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of the estate is in use at the Jobcentre Plus offices in (a) Shettleston, (b) Easterhouse, (c) Parkhead, (d) Bridgeton, (e) Castlemilk, (f) Langside, (g) Newlands, (h) Anniesland, (i) Partick, (j) Maryhill, (k) Springburn, (l) Cambuslang and (m) Rutherglen.

Since 1998 the Department occupies the majority of its accommodation under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) known as the PRIME contract. Under the terms of this 20-year PFI, the Department contracts to occupy fully serviced accommodation from its private sector partner, Telereal Trillium.

The following percentages represent the utilisation of these buildings: (a) Shettleston 22%, (b) Easterhouse 25%, (c) Parkhead 46%, (d) Bridgeton 37%, (e) Castlemilk 57%, (f) Langside 64%, (g) Newlands 62%, (h) Anniesland 30%, (i) Partick 32%, (j) Maryhill 32%, (k) Springburn 46%, (l) Cambuslang 96% and (m) Rutherglen 54%.

Even though the department does not fully occupy the space it has, it still pays for 100% of it through the PFI arrangements. Our aim is to make more efficient use of this space to reduce our estate costs going forward.