Jobcentre Plus

Mr. Boswell
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Working Together programme in Jobcentre Plus.

Mr. Jim Murphy
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 28 June 2006:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the implementation of the Working Together programme in Jobcentre Plus. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.

The Working Together programme has been developed in response to the significant challenges our business faces. It provides an opportunity for everyone across Jobcentre Plus to be involved in creating the working environment needed to ensure the continued success of our organisation, and helps to build understanding and commitment to our vision and to new ways of working. It also ensures our managers have the skills, tools and confidence to lead their people through change.

Working Together is currently rolled out in 384 sites, 370 of which are Jobcentres, 8 are Contact Centres, and 6 are Benefit Delivery Centres. Managers receive coaching from Working Together facilitators and people are given the time and resources to help create a better working environment, and work with their managers to implement development plans.

To date, 46 per cent of our staff are participating in the Working Together programme and the remainder will participate in the near future.

Feedback to date from participants of the programme has been very positive and our formal evaluation process starts in July.