{"id":78368,"date":"2017-01-26T12:31:24","date_gmt":"2017-01-26T12:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=2588e8e4aa1466502d6509984d69b7ef"},"modified":"2017-01-26T12:31:24","modified_gmt":"2017-01-26T12:31:24","slug":"press-release-new-streamlined-jobcentre-plus-network-with-more-support-for-jobseekers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=78368","title":{"rendered":"Press release: New streamlined Jobcentre Plus network with more support for jobseekers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Plans have been published to reform Department for Work and Pensions (DWP<\/abbr>) Jobcentre Plus offices and benefit centres, in light of 20% of office space being under-used.<\/p>\n

The way DWP<\/abbr> services are delivered has changed significantly in recent years; for example 8 out of 10 claims for Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance and 99.6% of applicants for Universal Credit submit their claims online.<\/p>\n

Since 2010, 2.7 million more people are in work, youth unemployment has fallen by 366,000 and the employment rate is at a record high.<\/p>\n

Jobcentres and benefit centres are covered by old building contracts which are now coming up for renewal. In the 20 years since these contracts were signed the welfare system has undergone large scale reform.<\/p>\n

The DWP<\/abbr> estate covers around 1.5 million square metres across the country and 300,000 square metres of this is under-utilised and could be vacated.<\/p>\n

Some smaller jobcentres will be merged with larger ones, and others will be co-located with local government premises. DWP<\/abbr> will be better able to offer a more efficient service while delivering good value for the taxpayer, saving around \u00a3180 million a year for the next 10 years.<\/p>\n

The support provided to jobseekers will be further strengthened this year as staff numbers are boosted by a recruitment drive to hire 2,500 new work coaches.<\/p>\n

Damian Hinds, Minster for Employment said:<\/p>\n

\n

We will always make sure that people have the support they need to get into and progress within work, that\u2019s why we are recruiting 2,500 more work coaches to help those who need it most.<\/p>\n

The way the world works has changed rapidly in the last 20 years and the welfare state needs to keep pace. As more people access their benefits through the internet many of our buildings are under-used. We are concentrating our resources on what we know best helps people into work.<\/p>\n

The changes we\u2019ve announced today will help ensure that the way we deliver our services reflect the reality of today\u2019s welfare system.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Today\u2019s announcements include proposals for:<\/p>\n