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To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make a statement concerning JobCentre Plus' Vision for London plan, with reference to (a) the number of (i) permanent and (ii) temporary posts, that will be moved out of London, (b) the timescale for the moves, (c)...

Asked by

Andrew Dismore (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Work and Pensions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

3 November 2003

For answer on

20 November 2003

Answered on

20 November 2003

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement concerning JobCentre Plus' Vision for London plan, with reference to (a) the number of (i) permanent and (ii) temporary posts, that will be moved out of London, (b) the timescale for the moves, (c) the expected impact on services for JobCentre Plus clients (i) in general and (ii) those from minority ethnic communities without English as a first language, (d) the extent to which those staff providing services for London JobCentre Plus clients from out of London will be expected to have a related knowledge of the jobs market (A) in the different parts of London geographically and (B) in the different parts of London's economy and (e) the impact of the move on the likely numbers of JobCentre Plus staff from minority ethnic backgrounds. [136831] Mr. Browne: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member. Letter from David Anderson to Andrew Dismore dated 20 November 2003: As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the Jobcentre Plus Vision for London and it's impact on our customers and staff. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency. It may be helpful if I explain that like the rest of my Agency, London region has embarked on a process of incremental change to deliver modern, effective and responsive services to our customers. Our priority is to provide the best possible service to our customers. The Jobcentre Plus London Vision is a generic title that encompasses a range of Department of Work and Pensions, National Jobcentre Plus and Regional change initiatives to achieve this aim. In general terms and by 2006, I aim to have in place a network of new modernised offices and support services which: enhance access and provide improved service to a much larger customer base; ensure better value for money through delivery of more efficient processes, and provide more satisfying and rewarding jobs for staff in more pleasant and professional working environments. Part of the change programme which is included in the London Vision, includes initiatives that, over time, will offer wider choice to our customers about how they access support and services. I envisage, for example, that by 2006 many more of those who can will be able to access appropriate services remotely, via Jobseeker Direct, Employer Direct and our network of First Contact Centres for new claims to benefit. To provide the best possible service to our customers within our finite resource a number of our non customer facing roles will be delivered outside of London. The extent and numbers of jobs that will be relocated will be clearer in the new year, once some key decisions are taken about our backroom benefit processing roles. I would however stress that we plan to retain local capacity to provide face-to-face service for customers who cannot take advantage of other means of accessing the help and support they need. You may be aware of the Department of Work and Pensions Departmental Plans. These plans show that the Department will see a reduction in the number of staff it employs from 130,000 in 2002 to 112,000 in 2006 as part of the Spending Review undertaken in 2002. Jobcentre Plus in London (including existing London region staff based in Scotland and North West England) will see a reduction in the level of full time staff providing services to London Customers from 12,318 in April 2002 to 10,769 in March 2006 according to our latest planning assumptions. Underlying these headline numbers is the ongoing impact of London's dynamic labour market. The region is currently looking to recruit up to 700 new staff into London this year and has a proven track record of recruiting ethnic minorities. I am confident further recruitment will be needed next year. The introduction of the new Jobcentre Plus services will change the sorts of jobs available to staff in London. By 2006, more of my staff in London and other regions, will be providing face-to-face services to those customers who most need this form of help. It is true that over time the type and location of work will change, but I am confident that there will be jobs for everyone currently working in London. I know that the London Field Director, Sheelagh Keyse, is keen to assess all aspects of her change programme. Consultation on individual initiatives takes place in the normal progress of business. In addition, and in order to assess the overall strategy, Sheelagh has commissioned a review of the entire London Change Programme led by DWP consultants. This review is due to report in December and further information will be available in January 2004, and I would like to offer you the opportunity to meet with Alan Brown who will be taking over as the Field Director for London to discuss the impact of changes on our London workforce. I hope this is helpful.

Date

20 November 2003

Reference

136831; 413 c1348-50W;413 c1344-6W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Work and Pensions;Jobcentre Plus

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects job points to be installed in (a) Burnt Oak Library, (b) Hendon Job Centre and (c) Mill Hill Job Centre; and if he will make a statement. - Including text of letter from David Anderson of Jobcentre...

Asked by

Andrew Dismore (Labour)

Answering body

Jobcentre Plus

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

23 October 2003

Reference

133062; 411 c701-2W;411 c707W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Work and Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many residents of Hendon are JobCentre Plus clients; how many such clients are on each of the New Deal programmes; how many residents of Hendon received services from Burnt Oak job centre before its closure; and how many received...

Asked by

Andrew Dismore (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Work and Pensions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

4 April 2003

For answer on

14 April 2003

Answered on

14 April 2003

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of Hendon are JobCentre Plus clients; how many such clients are on each of the New Deal programmes; how many residents of Hendon received services from Burnt Oak Job Centre before its closure; and how many received services from Hendon JobCentre Plus office. [108238] Mr. Nicholas Brown :[holding answer 9 April 2003]: At the end of August 2002 there were 9,500 JobCentre Plus clients resident in Hendon constituency.1-5 1 Source: Client Group Analyses of DWP Information Centre 5 per cent. statistical samples. 2 Number is based on a 5 per cent. sample, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. 3 Number is rounded to the nearest hundred. 4 JobCentre Plus clients are defined as working age recipients of one or more of income support (non minimum income guarantee claimants), jobseeker's allowance, incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, invalid care allowance, widow's benefit or bereavement benefit. 5 Parliamentary constituencies are allocated by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory, and represent constituency boundaries as at May 1997. The available information on New Deal participants in the Hendon parliamentary constituency area is in the table. New Deal Participants in the Hendon Parliamentary Constituency Area1,2,5 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. New Deal Programme Number of Participants New Deal for Young People3 210 New Deal 25 plus3 210 New Deal for Lone Parents3 180 New Deal 50 plus4 40 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Source: New Deal Evaluation Database. 2 All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. This is in line with National Statistics guidelines and prevents possible disclosure of individuals. 3 As at end of December 2002. 4 As at end of February 2003. 5 Information is not available at constituency level for the other New Deal Programmes. Burnt Oak Jobcentre was an advice and information office, and as such, had no register of customers. However, we have been able to estimate that, on average, 255 customers a month used that office. It provided job search facilities to people from all over north-west London and, therefore, we are unable to identify how many residents of Hendon received services from Burnt Oak Jobcentre. Hendon Jobcentre is not scheduled to become a Jobcentre Plus office until it is rolled out along with the rest of north London District in 2005-06. The Jobcentre has a current register of 1,775 jobseeker's allowance customers. In addition, it is estimated that it sees around 100 non-jobseeker's allowance customers every week.

Date

14 April 2003

Reference

108238; 403 c646-7W

House

House of Commons

Adjournment debate on Jobcentre Plus services to residents of Hendon

Adjournment debate on Jobcentre Plus services to residents of Hendon.

Lead member

Andrew Dismore

Answering member

Malcolm Wicks

Department

Department for Work and Pensions

Type

Adjournment debates

Date

14 April 2003

Reference

403 c781-8;403 c780-6

House

House of Commons

Dept for Work and Pensions;JobCentre Plus

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has to (a) close, (b) reduce the services available from and (c) reduce the opening hours of Job Centre Plus premises open to the public (i) in Hendon and (ii) serving Hendon residents; what consultations his Department...

Asked by

Andrew Dismore (Labour)

Answering body

Jobcentre Plus

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

4 April 2003

For answer on

10 April 2003

Answered on

10 April 2003

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what plans he has to (a) close, (b) reduce the services available from and (c) reduce the opening hours of Job Centre Plus premises open to the public (i) in Hendon and (ii) serving Hendon residents; [108230] (2) what consultations his Department has had with (a) trade unions, (b) customers and (c) others on changes to the operations of Job Centre Plus (i) in Hendon and (ii) serving residents of Hendon; with which other bodies or persons consultations were held; what the responses to the consultations were; and if he will make a statement. [108236] Mr. Nicholas Brown: [holding answer 9 April 2003]: The administration of Job Centre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive of Job Centre Plus, Clare Dodgson. She will write to the hon. Member. Letter from Clare Dodgson to Mr. Dismore, dated 10 April 2003: As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about future plans for Hendon Jobcentre Plus offices and the level of consultation which has taken place in relation to this. These are issues which fell within my responsibilities as Acting Chief Executive of the Agency. The Jobcentre Plus Vision incorporates a commitment to continuously improve the quality, accessibility and delivery of services to all working age customers. Already, the Jobcentre Plus Pathfinder offices have begun to demonstrate a very different model of service, which has been widely welcomed by our customers. As part of the national roll-out programme for Jobcentre Plus, it was necessary to consider the services provided to our customers within each District. It became clear that we needed to review the existing estate and in some cases rationalise the accommodation in Jobcentre Plus and Social Security Offices. The aim of the review is to enable Jobcentre Plus to deliver a better, more focused and cost effective customer service. Within the North London District, the current service provision at the Hendon and Edgware Social Security Offices (SSOs) was reviewed. Various options were considered as part of this process and the favoured option was in providing National Insurance Number interviews at Hendon, and benefit enquiries/payments at Edgware. It was proposed that by centralising the customer services between the two sites, an overall improvement of service would be achieved. There are good transport links by bus between Hendon and Edgware and customers will be able to access services at both locations regardless of where they live. The staff affected by the changes to the Hendon and Edgware SSOs have been consulted. The Trade Union and staff directly involved with the proposed changes, were issued with a copy of the proposal on 4 April. Their comments on the proposal are due to be returned by 18 April. After considering the feedback, MPs and external organisations will then be formally notified of the proposed changes and comments will be invited. The proposed deadline for comments on the proposal is expected to be 2 May 2003. Decisions on the longer term plans for provision of Jobcentre Plus services in Hendon and Edgware will not be taken until nearer the proposed roll-out date, which is anticipated to be in 2005-06. This is when we expect to have the fully integrated model, currently operating in the Pathfinder Districts, to be introduced in the North London District. Burnt Oak Jobcentre was part of Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon District and is situated in the HA8 postcode area. Based on the rollout plan for this district for 2002-03, a decision was taken to close this stand-alone Jobcentre, which provided only a limited job broking service. Benefit customers have not been affected. Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon have been putting together these proposals over the course of the past nine months, during which time the local trade union has been kept closely in touch with developments. Although we did not consult customers themselves, we did write to customer representative groups including Community Mental Health teams, the London Homeless services team, local Citizens' Advice Bureaux and local businesses at the same time as we wrote to you and to other local Members of Parliament about the service delivery plan for the Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon Jobcentre Plus district. I regret that you feel that the letter informing you of the plans for Burnt Oak Jobcentre was unclear. I have reviewed the guidance covering these circumstances and put in place arrangements to help ensure we are clearer about proposals and plans in the future. I have instructed my District Managers to state when writing to Members of Parliament and stakeholders the actual names of any offices they are considering closing as part of their Jobcentre Plus Service Delivery Plans. I hope this is helpful.

Date

10 April 2003

Reference

403 c414-5W;403 c413-4W; 108230;108236

House

House of Commons

Dept for Work and Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many of the clients of Burnt Oak jobcentre live in Hendon constituency; what proportion of the total clientele of Burnt Oak jobcentre live in Hendon constituency; who was consulted about the jobcentre's proposed closure; in what way they were...

Asked by

Andrew Dismore (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Work and Pensions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

21 March 2003

For answer on

31 March 2003

Answered on

31 March 2003

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the clients of Burnt Oak jobcentre live in Hendon constituency; what proportion of the total clientele of Burnt Oak jobcentre live in Hendon constituency; who was consulted about the jobcentre's proposed closure; in what way they were consulted; why the hon. Member for Hendon was not included in the consultation; when the jobcentre will close; why the hon. Member for Hendon was not informed of (a) the decision to close the jobcentre and (b) the date it was to be closed; if he will defer its closure to allow the hon. Member for Hendon to make representations; and if he will make a statement. [105037] Mr. Nicholas Brown: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, Clare Dodgson. She will write to my hon. Friend. Letter from Clare Dodgson to Mr. Andrew Dismore, dated 27 March 2003: As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, I have been asked to reply to your question concerning Burnt Oak Jobcentre and the creation of Jobcentre Plus facilities in your constituency. This falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of the Agency. As part of the rollout of Jobcentre Plus we are taking the opportunity to rationalise the estate previously occupied by the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service. Burnt Oak Jobcentre did not have a customer base of jobseekers of its own but offered job broking facilities for people claiming benefits through Mill Hill Jobcentre and Wembley Jobcentre Plus as well as people already in employment. As part of the roll out of the full Jobcentre Plus service in Brent, Harrow & Hillingdon District, we examined alternative means to deliver our services rather than just through Jobcentres. These include Jobseeker Direct and the Jobcentre Plus website. We are also putting Jobpoints into Burnt Oak library and an outreach service at the local Careers Library. Employers will also be able to use the employer suite in Wembley Jobcentre Plus. We wrote to stakeholders, including local MPs, about the closure of Burnt Oak Jobcentre on 28 June 2002 asking for comments on the service delivery plan for Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon District by 19 July 2002. We wrote again confirming our plans on 17 September 2002. Burnt Oak Jobcentre closed on 21 March 2003. I hope this is helpful.

Date

31 March 2003

Reference

105037; 402 c594-5W

House

House of Commons

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