The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
Letter from Mel Groves:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question, with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official Report, columns 1993-4W, on Jobcentres, how many people were employed in Jobcentres in each year for which figures are available. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The table shows the number of full time equivalents (FTEs) that have been identified as being employed within Jobcentres each year within the period April 2003 to March 2008. Information prior to April 2003 is not available.
Number of FTE staff in Jobcentres April 2003 33576.19 March 2004 36080.59 March 2005 40008.09 March 2006 40400.27 March 2007 26028.53 March 2008 27870.67 Notes: 1. Headcount figures are quoted in full-time equivalents using the Office for National Statistics criteria for counting headcount. 2. The figures quoted include all staff who have been identified as being employed within a Jobcentre. It does not include individuals in Social Security Offices or regional/district offices. Source: Jobcentre Plus Management Information Portal.