Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department has collected data on the average (a) distance travelled by claimants to attend jobcentre and Jobcentre Plus appointments and (b) costs of travel incurred by claimants in attending appointments at jobcentre and Jobcentre Plus centres.

Whilst the Department has not estimated or collected data on the average distances and costs incurred by claimants when attending appointments at their local jobcentre it has, as part of its review of the future estate, carefully considered claimant travel. Rather than assess the average distances from customers’ homes to their current and proposed new jobcentre, we have focused instead on the distances between existing and proposed jobcentre locations to help customers better understand any differences in distance. This is to reflect the fact that people who travel to the jobcentre will use whichever type of transport suits their personal circumstances, they may not be starting their journey from their home, and not all those who use our services are claimants.

The reimbursement of travel costs is available to claimants when they are required to attend the jobcentre for appointments other than mandatory fortnightly signing appointments. In addition, those claiming Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support are not required to attend their local jobcentre on a regular basis. Jobseekers who have been claiming Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance for more than 13 weeks can also apply for a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card which halves the cost of pay as you go bus fares.