Watchdog to probe “shameful” BIS office closure plans

A WATCHDOG is launching an inquiry into plans to close the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Sheffield office. It was announced in May that the move would mean that 250 jobs in the area would be cut as the government attempted to save around £350m by 2020.

At the time, permanent secretary Martin Donnelly said that decision “had not been made lightly.”

But now, the National Audit Office is investigating the controversial plans in a “value for money” study, according to the BBC.

Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This is a shameful decision that flies in the face of what the government claims to want for the north and the wider civil service.

“As a northern powerhouse city, ministers should be investing in jobs in Sheffield, not devolving them back to central London.

“We do not believe there is any money to be saved by closing this office, it could actually end up costing more, and we will continue to campaign to reverse the decision.”

The union’s members in the Sheffield office are currently on the second day of a two-day strike over the plans.