Jobs axe to fall at MoD site

Up to 60 Government jobs are to go in Telford and another 26 are in the balance following cutbacks revealed today.

The jobs are being axed at the Ministry of Defence's depot in Donnington and the temporary agency workers affected will be released gra-dually as the base strives to meet Government spending and performance targets.

An MoD spokesman said: "One of our key targets is to improve efficiency. To this end, Donnington is looking at an agency release programme to improve efficiency at the site. It is still in the planning process and the date for the gradual release of up to 60 agency staff is still being finalised."

Meanwhile, HM Revenue and Customs revealed this morning that it plans to axe the IT help desk at its base in Telford.

Management said the 26 full-time staff affected would be redeployed but a union chief said there were simply no jobs elsewhere for them to go to.

Mike Veric, the Public and Commercial Services Union Telford branch secretary for HMRC, said: "They are saying they will try to redeploy the workers but no Government departments or agencies are recruiting in the area.

"The Land Registry is being privatised, RAF Cosford training is being moved to South Wales and so the chances of finding alternative work is very slim.

"I will meet the workforce tomorrow and then speak to the employers to find out exactly what they have planned."