The DWP states that the new Jobcentres will provide services across the country where they are needed
A new Jobcentre branch has opened in Bristol in response to increased demand for services.
The DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) launched the temporary site at 101 Victoria Street yesterday, but some claimants have been struggling to find it.
Staff at the new satellite centre said that they are currently being lenient with those turning up late as they understand there is confusion over the new Jobcentre Plus building.
There is no sign outside the building identifying it as a Jobcentre and the text message sent to people with appointments advises them to go to ‘Bristol Victoria Street Jobcentre Plus’.
One woman said she walked the length of Victoria Street before she found the building. Others reported instead to the Temple Way Jobcentre, not realising their appointment was at the new temporary branch.
In 2017, 87 Jobcentres were shut down across the country, including two Bristol branches.
Bristol Victoria Street Jobcentre is one of more than 150 temporary Jobcentres that have opened up across the UK in 2021.
The DWP’s website states that these are to “deal with increased demand”, adding: The new Jobcentres will provide services across the country where they are needed.
They will increase capacity to provide tailored face-to-face support in a COVID-secure environment and help support more people back into work and progress into new roles, it states. DWP will review the need for these temporary Jobcentres as the economy recovers.
A job centre adviser at the new Victoria Street branch told Bristol Live that she is trying to support people as much as possible and arrange more face-to-face appointments ahead of the removal of the £20 additional payment from Universal Credit.