Working with colleagues from across political parties, I’ve secured a debate in the House of Commons on the closure of the Sheffield BIS Office. 

The debate was agreed today by Parliament’s Backbench Business Committee, which allocates time for Commons debates, and will take place on Monday 9th May. You can watch me making the application for the debate here.

The motion that will be debated calls on the National Audit Office to conduct a cost benefit assessment of the proposal to close the Sheffield BIS Office, which involves moving 247 jobs from Sheffield to London. We’ve known all along that this plan doesn’t make financial sense, nor does it recognise the value of having decision-making outside of London. Now the Department will have to answer to Parliament.

We shouldn’t be in this position, but I will not rest until the decision has been reversed, and a proper plan for policy-making that serves the whole country and provides value for the taxpayer is reached.