Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to reopen Jobcentre Plus offices in Easterhouse and Parkhead in Glasgow East constituency in response to rising unemployment as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Easterhouse and Parkhead offices were closed in 2017/18 as part of the department’s major transformation of its estate. It no longer leases either site.

DWP is currently evaluating the estates capacity needed to respond to the economic consequences of the pandemic, this is being done in line with recruitment, which is already underway. The response will take account of local demand, available accommodation and Jobcentre operating model changes. Further details will be provided to Parliament when our plans have been finalised.