The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that face-to-face services for some benefit claimants in Scotland will resume next week.
In the latest edition of the LA Welfare Direct bulletin on the GOV.UK website, it states that “Jobcentre offices will be restarting face-to-face appointments over April 2021 for all customers who need to be seen by their work coach.”
It goes on to confirm that these will start again in Jobcentre Plus offices across Scotland on Monday, April 26. The update also adds that these recommenced in England on April 12.
The DWP also said: “Priority will be given to new customers and young people (aged 18 to 24) who are at risk of long term unemployment.”
However, the Department added that customers will only need to attend a Jobcentre when asked to do so and that offices will continue to comply with existing Covid-19 regulations.
The DWP also announced it has added more locations of new temporary jobcentres across the UK, including one in Aberdeen.
The DWP is setting up temporary jobcentres during 2021 to deal with increased demand for services as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The new jobcentres will provide services across the country where they are needed and will increase capacity to provide tailored face-to-face support in a Covid-secure environment to help support more people back into work.
Scotland has two other temporary jobcentre locations in Ayr and Falkirk.
Location of temporary jobcentres in Scotland
- Aberdeen - City Wharf, Shiprow, AB11 5BY
- Ayr - Wallacetoun House, John Street, KA8 0BX
- Falkirk - Former BHS, Callendar Square Shopping Centre, FK1 1UJ
The DWP said it will review the need for these temporary jobcentres as the economy recovers and social distancing rules are eased.
The full list of temporary jobcentres across the UK can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
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