Concerns over barracks jobs

Up to 120 jobs could be lost at Whittington Barracks near Lichfield, the Armed Forces Minister has revealed in a letter to Lichfield's MP.

In the letter to MP Michael Fabricant, Adam Ingram has stated the future is uncertain for the civilian staff currently employed at the site.

It was revealed last year that the Defence Medical Training Agency would be moving onto the barracks, and the news was welcomed after it emerged the scheme could boost the local economy and bring as many as 1,000 military jobs to the area. But before the Agency moves to the site some construction work is needed.

The first plans for the scheme will see the Agency replace the Army Training Regiment which is expected to leave the barracks next year. Today Mr Fabricant revealed the news of the civilian job losses."Although a few jobs will be kept among security staff, most will be lost as conversions are made in readiness for conversion of the barracks for use by the Defence Medical Services," said Mr Fabricant. "Nevertheless, the change of use of the site for Defence Medical Services training and administration should secure the barracks' future for the next 20 years or so - and I welcome this," he added.