Swansea’s DVLA HQ to be a digital “centre of excellence” – Welsh Secretary responds to the Consultation on Transforming DVLA Services
The DVLA’s Swansea headquarters will play a crucial role in the digital transformation of the agency, said the Secretary of State for Wales,…
The DVLA’s Swansea headquarters will play a crucial role in the digital transformation of the agency, said the Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan today (4 July) following the outcome of a consultation on proposals to deliver more DVLA services electronically.
An estimated 450 jobs will be created at the agency’s Swansea’s headquarters in a move aimed to further centralise, modernise and enhance the services it provides to motorists looking to carry out more transactions online.
The announcement will result in the closure of the DVLA’s 39 regional offices across the UK with 76 positions affected in its Swansea, Bangor and Cardiff branches. However, the 30 Swansea based staff will be re-located to its headquarters with re-deployment opportunities offered to the 34 members of staff in Cardiff and the 12 Bangor-based employees.
Mrs Gillan said:
“The DVLA has continued to lead the way in Government in providing electronic services and there is a real case for the agency to provide a faster, more cost-effective and flexible service to its customers.
“The creation of up to 450 jobs at the agency’s Swansea headquarters underlines the pivotal role it continues to play in transforming its services fit for the 21st century.
“It is a testament to the skills and expertise of the workforce that this centre of excellence will be strengthened, and will continue its long association with the city.
“While these planned closures will come as a disappointment to those affected in the regional offices in Wales, these employees will be offered redeployment opportunities to the Swansea headquarters or potentially to the wider civil service. I am reassured that the DVLA will do all they can to support their employees through these changes.”
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Notes to editors
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The Consultation on Transforming DVLA Services ran between 13 December 2011 and 20 March 2012 and asked for views on proposals to deliver more DVLA services electronically.
The Cardiff office will close in December 2013. The Bangor office will close in November 2013 and the Swansea office will close October 2013.
• The DVLA’s response to the consultation and its Case for Change can be viewed at www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/transformation
• For DVLA press enquiries, contact: 0300 123 0791 / press.office@dvla.gsi.gov.uk