AN MP has condemned a decision to move Army jobs as “scandalous”, after claiming £18m of taxpayers’ money will be spent on upgrading offices.

York MP Hugh Bayley said he had been stunned by a string of responses to parliamentary questions about transferring Headquarters 15 Brigade from Imphal Barracks, in York to the Army’s newly-formed Adaptable Force Brigade Headquarters at Catterick.

Ahead of a meeting with defence minister Mark Francois on Thursday (January 16), Mr Bayley said it appeared the Ministry of Defence had not costed whether the move to Catterick was financially viable.

Mr Bayley said: “I am astonished that the Government has made a decision to base the Adaptable Force Brigade in Catterick without any costings having been carried out.

“My understanding is that the cost of upgrading office space would be in the region of £18m and in this era of austerity it is scandalous that this move is being proposed when there is perfectly adequate, high standard office accommodation already at Imphal Barracks in York.”

International security strategy minister Dr Andrew Murrison said the Army 2020 basing plan had been designed to allow the Army to increase its military capability.

He said: “It is currently too early to say what the cost will be of providing suitable premises for the new Adaptive Force Brigade Headquarters.”

Dr Murrison said it was expected a business case featuring the estimated costs of the move would be completed by March.