Andrew Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, yesterday opened the 500th Jobcentre Plus marking a milestone in getting people into employment.
The office, in Middlesbrough, represents the halfway stage of a £2.2bn introduction of the service across the country.
The new offices combine jobseeking and benefit services under one roof.
Mr Smith said: "By bringing jobseeking and benefit services under one roof we are transforming the help people receive.
"It is about responsibilities not just rights, support not just benefit, individual services not just clumping people together.
"Thanks to Jobcentre Plus and the New Deal, Britain has one of the best labour markets in the world with record numbers of people in work and jobless figures at a three-year low."
Mr Smith was joined by Jobcentre Plus chief executive David Anderson at the opening.
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