Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

DWP Office Closures

Thursday 31 March 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on DWP office closures align with the Government's Places for Growth programme.
  • Office closures aim to spread civil service jobs around the country and support the levelling up agenda.
  • No compulsory redundancies are planned, and all 411 affected jobs will remain within the civil service.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Benefits & Welfare Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MP is concerned about the planned closure of DWP offices in his constituency which will impact local jobs, shops, and services.

Question

What recent discussions has he had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the planned closure of her Department's offices?

Answer from Heather Wheeler

The Department for Work and Pensions locations plan is in line with the wider Government Places for Growth programme. That programme aims to deliver a more geographically diverse civil and public service that will better serve the public. The recent announcements will support the DWP's delivery of a strategy that will, over the next 10 years, reshape how, where and when it delivers services. These closures are not part of a plan to reduce headcount.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide details about any recent discussions with the Secretary of State as requested.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Benefits & Welfare Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact on jobs in his constituency due to the closure of DWP offices.

Question

How do those office closures contribute to the Government's stated aim of spreading civil service jobs around the country and, indeed, to levelling up?

Answer from Heather Wheeler

People are being asked to move either three miles or eight miles away. They are having one-to-one bespoke meetings asking them how they would like to carry on working. As I say, all 411 jobs will be staying in the civil service because such important back-office jobs are needed. People are being asked to find where the best place is for them to work. If they want to carry on working in other civil service jobs in the area, they can transfer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not directly address how these closures contribute to spreading jobs or levelling up.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Employment Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of DWP office closures on jobs in economically depressed areas, especially given recent announcements by the Minister for Government Efficiency.

Question

Will the Minister now tell us just how many jobs are at risk? Will she guarantee that there will be no compulsory redundancies, and will she explain how this fits into the Government's plan to reform the civil service?

Answer from Heather Wheeler

The hon. Lady asks a number of questions. Regarding the question asked by the hon. Member for Manchester Withington (Jeff Smith), the landlord wants the property back and wants to redevelop the area, which will bring other jobs to the area. However, the most important thing is, on these very important back-office jobs for these 411 people, that they are not looking at any reduction in headcount.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer avoids providing details about job risks and guarantees against redundancies as requested.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)