AN ARMY reorganisation which will see Civil Service jobs switched from York to Catterick has been branded “ludicrous” by a York MP after it was revealed the cost of the move is still unknown.

North East Brigade is to move its HQ from Imphal Barracks in Fulford Road to Catterick Garrison, which will house the newly-formed Adaptable Force Brigade, but York Central MP Hugh Bayley says the York barracks have enough space to accommodate the new brigade and the Headquarters 1st Division, which is moving to the city from Germany.

He has claimed £18 million would have to be spent on Catterick to bring its accommodation up to standard, and in an answer to a parliamentary question tabled by Mr Bayley, defence minister Philip Dunne said the cost of IT systems for the scheme has not been estimated.

The MP is to meet armed forces minister Mark Francois next week to air his concerns about the move.

“It is ludicrous that a decision has been made to base the Adaptable Force Brigade in Catterick without any costings being carried out to see how viable an option this is.

“It will need even more office space and it is scandalous this move is being proposed when there is perfectly adequate, high-standard office accommodation already in York,” Mr Bayley said.