Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to move the premises of the Office of the Public Guardian from Archway Tower; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Lewisham East, Labour)

As part of its programme of change and improvement, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has over the past 12 months taken a phased approach to moving functions out of London. In doing so it has sought to capitalise on existing Ministry of Justice buildings and staff where possible.

The first office outside London opened in Birmingham in the spring of this year. A second office, in Nottingham, has recently commenced operation and functions will continue to migrate there over the next four months.

No further decisions as to timing and location of future moves have been taken. OPG aims to have reduced its presence in London to a necessary minimum over the next two to three years.

The OPG engages actively with staff and trade unions regarding its change plans. Appropriate impact assessments are made. Staff impact is managed in line with the Ministry of Justice Managing Organisational Change Framework.