(2) what recent representations he has received from trade unions on proposals to close Jobcentre Plus branches in Norfolk;
(3) what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the public is aware of the consultation exercise on the future of Jobcentre Plus branches in Norfolk;
(4) why Cabinet Office guidelines for the length of a consultation period have not been applied to the consultation on the future of Norfolkâs Jobcentre Plus branches;
The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 12 April 2007:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the consultation process regarding the closures of Jobcentres in Norfolk. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The stakeholders invited to comment on the proposals to close Jobcentre Plus offices were the Members of Parliament for the constituencies affected, Chief Executives and Welfare Benefits Advisers of the Local Authorities concerned, Citizens Advice representatives, Primary Care Trusts, Trade Union representatives, providers of Jobcentre Plus programmes, the Learning and Skills Council, the Government Office for the East of England and the East of England Development Agency.
There have been informal discussions at a local level between the District Manager and local Union officials. We have not yet received a formal response to the consultation from the trade unions.
Apart from consultation with stakeholders we have put a prominently displayed statement in each of our Jobcentres advising customers of our plans and giving the contact details of the District Manager for Jobcentre Plus in Norfolk, should they wish to comment on the proposals. To date the District Manager has received four responses from customers who use Hunstanton Jobcentre and none from any of the other Jobcentres.
The Cabinet Office guidance on consultation issues relates to proposed new policy initiatives, or changes to existing policy. Jobcentre closures are operational issues. For Jobcentre Plus we are using a six week consultation period. This period has recently been extended from three weeks at the request of Ministers. We think that this allows ample time for the views of stakeholders to be considered.