Minister welcomes benefits under one roof

Mr Grayling spoke to Central Beds Council leader Councillor James Jamieson, staff and customers at Jobcentre Plus in the High Street, where the Department for Work and Pensions and council are offering services to residents under one roof for the first time ever.

Since March residents have been able to claim Jobseekers’ Allowance and take advantage of many council services at the centre, in a model the government hopes to emulate in towns and cities across the country.

These include council tax payments, applying for housing benefit, free school meals entitlement and blue badge provision for disabled drivers.

Mr Grayling said: “This is a major breakthrough for Central Bedfordshire Council and for Jobcentre Plus.

“Over the last year or so the government has been looking at working more closely with local authorities and I have to applaud Central Bedfordshire Council who have been instrumental in bringing all these services together under one roof.

“This initiative means people who will need to access other services aside from Jobseekers’ Allowance, such as housing benefit, can now do so, and all in the same building.

“I have been very impressed with what I have seen today.”

Mr Jamieson, who met Mr Grayling with Councillors Richard Stay and Maurice Jones said: “We have looked at the figures and the two organisations will save around £200,000 over the next 10 years between them as a result of this merging of services.

“The benefits are very clear and create a win-win situation for everyone involved – as well as saving a lot of public money it means residents are saved an awful lot of time and trouble, and there is greater convenience for all.”

Mr Stay added: “A resident who has just lost their job has previously had to travel from one office to another using the same bunch of documents that are required by different authorities, at great inconvenience.

“Now these papers can be processed in the same place at the same time, which makes life easier for everyone concerned.”