The UK’s Jobcentres could be transformed into an all-encompassing internet experience, if ideas outlined by employment minister Jim Knight come to fruition.

In a speech to the Work Foundation, Knight said he wanted “every single person to have access to the internet”. At the moment, Knight said 40% of benefit claimants do not have regular access to a computer.

“I want most people to apply for their benefits online, look for jobs online and then re-enter work confident in using the technology that is such an essential part of our lives. At the very first appointment with a Jobcentre Plus adviser, if you don’t have an email address, you will get one.”

Knight added: “You can then take that to your nearest UK online centre where there will be people available to help you get started. Welfare providers and private recruitment agencies already do something similar for their clients — our service should be at least as good.”

He also said he wanted Jobcentre advisers to be more proactive in their use of IT — for example, by emailing unemployed people with job vacancies and online learning opportunities. Social networking would also be part of the portal.

The first steps towards achieving Knight’s vision will be set out in a White Paper, Getting Britain Back to Work, to be published later this month.