The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to close 20 Jobcentres, including one in Stevenage.

They are among 194 temporary Jobcentres set up by the DWP in 2021 and 2022 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We no longer need the temporary space we acquired during the pandemic due to social distancing,” the DWP explained.

“To continue providing our essential employment support and other services in a way that is cost efficient for the taxpayer, we are phasing out these temporarily leased sites and our staff and all customer services will return to the nearby established Jobcentre.

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“The closing of these temporary sites will not reduce our levels of service, or access to face-to-face appointments. Customers will return to being served by their established Jobcentre and there will be no reduction in the number of work coaches serving customers as a result.”

The Jobcentre closing in Stevenage is situated in Abel Smith House on Gunnels Wood Road and opened on October 6, 2021.

Stevenage Jobcentre Plus in The Forum will remain unaffected, and can be contacted on 0800 169 0190 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

The DWP confirmed no staff would be laid off as a result of the closures.