AN MP will meet with a Government minister in order to fight the corner of HMRC staff who have been told they must move from Teesside to Newcastle in order to keep their jobs.

The Government wants to close George Stephenson House, in Thornaby, and move its 600 staff to Longbenton, Newcastle by 2021.

But it is understood the vast majority of staff, some of whom work as far south as Whitby, have already stated they are unable to make the move.

Stockton South MP Dr Paul Williams raised the issue in Parliament and has secured a meeting with Treasury Secretary Mel Stride.

He said: “I’ve met with the workers at George Stephenson House and they have explained to me how difficult it would be balancing their family life with relocating to Newcastle, a three hour round trip away.

“The Conservative minister responsible for the closures has agreed to meet me and I’ll fight to keep this office open.”

Gordon Rowntree, PCS union branch secretary, said plans to shrink the HMRC estate were having a disproportionate effect on the region.

He said George Stephenson House had recently been recognised as the number one performing site in the country.

Mr Rowntree said it had been claimed 90 per cent of Teesside staff could reach Longbenton within an hour - a reasonable daily travel distance - but this was based on an estimate from Google Maps.

Another HMRC office, in Russell Street, Middlesbrough, which has about 160 staff, is due to close early next year when staff will be moved to the Thornaby site.