Library 'outreach' proposal for Jobcentres

Published on Friday 2 January 2009 21:57

PUBLIC buildings such as libraries may be pressed into service as Jobcentres to help the unemployed, an MP said yesterday.

Danny Alexander said Jobcentre Plus staff and computers can work in places such as community centres and council buildings to offer an "outreach" service.

His call follows a government decision in November to halt plans to close Jobcentre Plus offices in an effort to stem the rising tide of job losses.

Mr Alexander said the U-turn was welcomed but he wanted to see ministers go further and plug current gaps in the Jobcentre network.

"By that time, ministers had already half-completed their ill-conceived office closure programme," said Mr Alexander, Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey.

"While it is welcome that the outstanding proposed closures were dropped, many communities had already lost key services.

"There is no rhyme or reason to where the gaps have been left in the Jobcentre network, nor where the closures were halted."

He said he planned to table a motion at Westminster detailing a plan for Jobcentre services to be taken closer to customers to help them find work.

"In what is a bad economic situation, I believe many public buildings would be prepared to find space for Jobcentre services to be made accessible again," he said.

"Councils rightly want people to be helped back into work and to have the right financial and practical support while they are unemployed.

"I very much hope they would work with the Department for Work and Pensions to identify suitable venues and agree a mutually beneficial working arrangement."