CITB future 'at risk' over Bircham Newton HQ axe plans, MP warns

The future of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is at risk unless it changes course on its West Norfolk base, a borough MP has claimed this morning.

Earlier this month, the board announced it would move from its Bircham Newton home and "actively seek" a new head office site in the Peterborough area.

They maintain the move is essential to secure the organisation's long-term future.

But North West Norfolk MP Sir Henry Bellingham told a Westminster Hall debate this morning that their position of selling Bircham and seeking to rent offices elsewhere made no sense.

He called for the CITB to put any moves on hold for three to four years to enable new training provision arrangements and a masterplan for future development of the site to be implemented.

And he warned that pressing ahead with the current plans could send the organisation "into meltdown."

He added: "If they carry on like this, they will find MPs saying this organisation is not fit for purpose, it doesn't deserve a levy and actually deserves to close down completely."

In response, education minister Nick Gibb said the government supported the ideas behind the CITB's Vision 2020 proposals.

But he added: "Ministers do not have a preference for where the HQ should be located."

He also stressed that the CITB's consultation on its proposals was continuing.

Earlier in the day, union leaders welcomed the debate which they said they hoped would highlight what it claims is a "shameful" plan.

Unite regional co-ordinating officer Mark Robinson said: “Up to 136 jobs of hardworking staff are on the line which will be a severe blow for the local Norfolk economy which can’t afford to lose such skilled jobs.

“The rationale seems to be based on unblinking dogma by an uncaring management and not on financial common sense. This proposal should be stopped for mature reconsideration.”