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<p>As a large employer we understand the potential impact that any closure or relocation
of an office may have. This is why we carefully considered the wider impacts on local
communities in reviewing our estate. The sites we intend to keep were identified as
part of our longer-term strategy.</p><p>The increased use of digital services means
that many offices are underutilised; meaning that we are spending money on rent for
space that is unused rather than on services and support. Our plans seek to redress
that. The department is committed to retaining an accessible jobcentre network and
continuing to serve customers in all areas. We are recruiting and expect to have more
work coaches in March 2018 compared to today.</p><p>We will work to minimise the need
for redundancy wherever we can, and seek to redeploy colleagues into new roles, but
before any final decisions about redundancies are made, there will be full consultation
with affected colleagues and trade unions.</p>
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