Job Centre safety

That this House notes the decision of the Department for Work and Pensions to considerably increase face-to-face services in job centres across the UK without formal consultation with trade unions; is concerned that the Department for Work and Pensions has failed to conduct adequate risk assessments in advance of the increased activity within job centres and the potential increased risk to local communities; is aware that increased face-to-face activity is being focused on certain groups including 18 to 24 year olds, many of whom are yet to receive their covid-19 vaccinations; notes that the Public and Commercial Service Union (PCS), which represents thousands of job centre staff across the UK, is currently conducting a consultative ballot regarding health and safety in the workplace; supports PCS’ calls for a measured approach to the full reopening of job centres to ensure communities, staff and claimants are safe; applauds the tireless efforts of job centre staff who have done their upmost during the covid-19 outbreak to support claimants and have performed to a high standard using mainly digital means; and calls on the Government and for Work and Pensions to immediately reverse recent increases in face-to-face activity until such a time as communities can be adequately protected and the vaccination programme has been completed for all age groups.