WARRINGTON is to be allowed to bid for up to 2,500 civil service jobs which are to be moved out of London.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has agreed that the giant Omega site straddling the M62 can be considered as a possible site for Ministry of Justice jobs.
This follows an initiative by Warrington North MP Helen Jones (pictured), supported by Warrington South MP 
Helen Southworth and Warrington Borough Council.
It was in April that Ms Jones learned that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) was planning to move up to 2,500 jobs out of the capital – and that a number of other authorities had already submitted bids.
She immediately wrote to Jack Straw pointing out that Omega would be an excellent site and brought together all the interested parties to discuss the possibility of a Warrington bid.
She chaired a meeting of the leaders of the political parties, senior council officers, representatives of the North West Development Agency, the Homes and Communities Agency and Miller Developments. It was agreed that Warrington would seek to join the bidding process.
Warrington’s two MPs met Jack Straw last week and he confirmed that Warrington would be allowed to join the bidding process.
He also made it clear that the original decision to ask for bids from certain areas was made by officials. He was more than happy to see Warrington make its case.
Ms Jones said “I am delighted with the response we got from Jack Straw. The MoJ move will not take place as quickly as first thought which gives us more time to formulate and submit a robust bid.
“If Warrington could secure this project it could kick start the development on Omega and bring secure jobs for local people to the town.
“It will not be easy because the competition from other areas will be stiff. However, Warrington is now in the game.”
Jack Straw is familiar with the Omega site as he visited it at the time of the controversial proposal to build a giant Titan prison there. Subsequently he revealed that the prison would no longer be considered for the prison, following
a vigorous campaign by local residents.
Town to bid for 2,500 jobs
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
