Jobs petition gains more support (From The Northern Echo)

Fight continues to keep 480 jobs at Mowden Hall, in Darlington

12:25pm Monday 31st December 2012 in News By Steven Hugill

A CAMPAIGN to keep 480 civil service jobs in a town is continuing to gather support.

The Department for Education (DfE) plans to transfer the posts from Mowden Hall, in Darlington, to Newcastle.

The Government says Mowden Hall would cost too much to repair and could move workers to cut increasing budget costs.

Hundreds of workers previously staged a protest to keep their jobs in Darlington, and The Save Our Jobs petition, led by The Northern Echo, has now attracted more than 1,100 signatures.

It will be presented to Mr Gove at Downing Street by The Northern Echo and Darlington MP Jenny Chapman.

Workers have presented a card to Mrs Chapman to hand over to Mr Gove, urging him to keep their jobs in Darlington, and potential sites at Lingfield Point and Northgate House, both in Darlington, have been put forward by staff and union officials.

Mrs Chapman said: “We need to keep the heat on the department, Mowden Hall has staff with great experience and expertise and we need to continue this fight to keep them in the town.

“The wider backing in the town has been overwhelming and everyone understands the significance of Mowden Hall and the massive contribution it makes to Darlington's economy.

“Staff simply would not be able to continue in their roles if they were transferred to Newcastle.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Mowden Hall would require significant investment, and we have explained to staff that we are considering alternative options in the North-East.”

You can sign the online petition at northernecho.co.uk/jobspetition