Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment was carried out prior to jobcentre and Jobcentre Plus closures on the potential effect of such closures on the levels of (a) poverty and (b) unemployment in the affected areas.

Throughout the redesign of DWP’s estate, the department has been mindful of its duties under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and the impact of its plans on its colleagues and customers. DWP can confirm that an Equality Analysis’ were undertaken for each site that is closing or moving.