Jobs under threat: Local MP petitions British Council to retain jobs in Manchester

1.57.51pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Apr 2006

Today, local MP, Andrew Stunell has appealed to the British Council to rethink their plans to move jobs from Manchester to London. Mr Stunell has teamed up with other Liberal Democrat MPs in a Parliamentary motion to remind the Government of the benefits of retaining jobs in Manchester.

Commenting on the threat, Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell said:

"I am extremely worried that the British Council is considering moving jobs from Manchester to London.

"Moving jobs away from Manchester would be a huge and short sighted mistake. This makes a mockery of the Government's supposed strategy to move jobs from London to the regions.

"I am calling on Ministers to remember the benefits of retaining jobs in Manchester during their discussions with the British Council." ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The text of the Parliamentary motion is:

BRITISH COUNCIL JOBS IN MANCHESTER

That this House notes with concern that the British Council is reported to be considering moving jobs from Manchester to London; recognises that this would be in stark contrast to the current trend of moving jobs from London out to the regions; and therefore calls on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in their discussions with the British Council to remind management of the benefits of retaining jobs in Manchester.