Job centres to close as part of major rationalisation

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is pushing on with its major rationalisation of its job centres.

The programme, which began in August, will see more than 100 job centres closed. Some will be moving into existing local authority properties but many are being “merged” with nearby centres.

Five job centres in the West Midlands will close in February and March.

The Government has estimated the changes – which will result in around one in 10 job centres closing – will save more than £140m a year over the next decade. The changes are in response to the large number of jobseeker’s allowance and universal credit applications which are now being made online.

Damian Hinds, Minister for Employment, said: “We will always make sure that people have the support they need to get into and progress within work. These changes reflect the fact that more people access their benefits online resulting in many of our buildings being underused.

“The changes DWP is making to its estate across the country will offer a more efficient service, and deliver good value for the taxpayer.”

Kidderminster and Redditch will move to sites currently occupied by their local authorities. Wellington and Madeley centres will close with the work transferring to Telford, and Coventry Tile Hill will move over to Coventry Cofa Court.