Extra Jobcentre staff planned for downturn

26/11/2008

The workforce in Jobcentres are to be boosted, the government has said.

Around 6,000 extra Jobcentre Plus staff will be created in 2009, work and pensions secretary James Purnell revealed yesterday.

The increase comes amid fears that the UK's slowing economy will develop into a deep recession, putting millions out of work.

A recent report from business leaders suggested that unemployment would grow by 900,000 to just under three million before 2010.

Along with the increase in Jobcentre Plus staff, the government is also to put a freeze on its planned closures of branches.

"We need to recognise that in the current economic circumstances we need to invest more in our frontline services, so we're today announcing a moratorium on Jobcentre Plus closures," Mr Purnell said.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling termed the situation "farcical", saying that the government's planned Jobcentre closure programme was almost complete, with just three more to be shut in 2009.

"Some moratorium," he added.

Jobcentre Plus, the government's employment agency, was created in 2002.

Tags; Job loss, Recent Graduate Debt,

• Share
• 
• 
• Store
• 
• Follow
•