Lib Dems write to Gove to urge him to bring Government jobs to Sunderland

Lib Dem councillors on Wearside have written to the Government to ask them to ditch their plans to move Government jobs to York - and choose Sunderland instead.

Senior Cabinet Office minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove has confirmed that the Government are looking to move civil service jobs out of central London.

Newspapers have reported that York would be set to be the site of relocated jobs, with proposals to move the House of Lords to the cathedral city also being under discussion.

Opposition Liberal Democrats on Wearside have written to Michael Gove urging him to reconsider the plans and choose Sunderland as a base for new government jobs instead of York.

Explaining their decision to ask for jobs to come to Sunderland, Lib Dem leader on the City Council Niall Hodson said:

"Moving a significant amount of civil service jobs outside of London is a very welcome decision. But the Government need to consider which parts of the north of England would most benefit from investment and lots of new, high-quality, skilled jobs.

"It is clear to us that Wearside would be a much better choice, with Sunderland, Washington and Houghton benefitting far more from being the new home of civil service jobs than York would.

"If the Government did choose Sunderland for its new hub for civil service jobs it would be transformational for the prospects of the city - bringing a huge economic boost and leading to greater regeneration and redevelopment that cities like York, Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester have seen but which has been seriously missing from Sunderland.

"Sadly, it seems Sunderland Council's Labour bosses don't have the ambition to fight for these jobs to come to our city - that's why we are taking up the campaign to bring investment to Wearside."