Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria were used to identify the Alexandria Jobcentre Plus in West Dunbartonshire constituency for closure.

The Department has sought, where feasible, to merge sites in close proximity as part of its overall review of estate. Merging the staff and services from Alexandria Jobcentre into Dumbarton Jobcentre optimises use of space, ensures value for money and enables effective delivery of services to the public. Alexandria Jobcentre is 46% underutilised, meaning that we are spending money on rent for space that is unused rather than on services and support.