Debates between David Rutley and Robert Halfon during the 2019 Parliament

Thu 17th Mar 2022

DWP Estate: Office Closures

Debate between David Rutley and Robert Halfon
Thursday 17th March 2022

(2 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Rutley Portrait David Rutley
- Parliament Live - Hansard - -

As I have said to other hon. Members, our top priority right now is working with the staff and supporting them through the changes. Most of the colleagues affected will be moving to other facilities that are really close by. In terms of the impact on the specific communities involved, typically the number of staff involved in a particular area is quite small. However, we will seek to see what we can do to improve. I do not have the details in front of me, but I am sure there will have been new, front-facing Jobcentre Plus offices put in place in Liverpool, because that is our commitment to help more people to get into work.

Robert Halfon Portrait Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)
- Parliament Live - Hansard - - - Excerpts

In Harlow, the Department actually expanded the jobcentre, so it is now in two buildings, one in the Harvey Centre, which I visited recently and which is doing an enormous amount of work in getting Harlow people back to work. Will my hon. Friend or the Minister for employment come and visit the two jobcentres we now have in Harlow that are doing so much to help employment in our town?

David Rutley Portrait David Rutley
- Parliament Live - Hansard - -

As my right hon. Friend highlights, we are doing a huge amount of work to help claimants to find work and to help people to progress in work. I am delighted that he has those facilities in Harlow and I or the Minister for employment will gladly come and visit in the very near future.