The Jobcentre Plus building in Sutton High Street is being extended to cope with rising numbers of unemployed residents during the recession.

An extra 26 desks are being added to a newly-opened second floor at Helena House to enable advisers to conduct more interviews with jobseekers.

The expansion follows the publication of figures last month showing claims for unemployment benefits have doubled in the borough since March.

Residents in St Helier and Wandle Valley were the hardest hit, with more than 300 residents in each ward claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance.

Chris Nicol, Jobcentre Plus district manager for south London, said the enlargement of public areas of the Sutton branch would now help more people back to work.

He said: “These enhancements will enable us to continue to offer comprehensive support to our customers in finding work and will allow us to further develop our partnerships with local employers.

“Work at Sutton Jobcentre Plus is due to start shortly and will not affect its day-to-day running.”

One employee claimed some interviews had been held at local schools in recent months because Helena House could not accommodate additional claimants.

But the Department for Work and Pensions said this was standard outreach work, intended to help single parents overcome barriers to employment.

A spokeswoman said: “Our parent advisers visit Tweeddale Children’s Centre every Monday and Wednesday to offer single parents support and advice on getting back into work via pre-booked appointments and a drop-in service.

“Nationally, Jobcentre Plus is increasingly using children’s centres to conduct interviews because the feedback from parents is that they appreciate lone parent advisers coming out into their community to support them back into work.”

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