1st Special Report - Jobcentre Plus closures in Scotland: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2016–17

This is the government's response, published 17 October 2017.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government sets out the reasons for its jobcentre estate changes in Scotland and responds to each recommendation, stating in one case that there are "no current plans to revisit jobcentre provision in Glasgow".

• On the call for a full evaluation of Glasgow provision, it says there are "no current plans to revisit" it. It states that it is opening a large new city centre office, including an employability centre, alongside "10 full jobcentres" retained.
• On phased announcements, it explains that the "argument for phased communication was outweighed by the need to protect our commercial position, on behalf of the taxpayer".
• On consultation, it says public consultations were run on around 30 sites outside the Ministerial Criteria, although "this was not a specific requirement". It says this led to Glasgow retaining one jobcentre previously proposed for closure.
• On mitigation for claimants, it says work coaches will discuss travel issues and that concerns "will continue to be considered on an individual basis". It also states that it does not "expect our plans to result in additional sanctions".

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