Loss of 18 jobs at Colchester Garrison

12.00.00am GMT Fri 21st Dec 2007

Eighteen civilian workers at Colchester Garrison are to lose their jobs following an announcement by the Government that they are to close the Regional Distribution Centre which is based at Kirkee McMunn Barracks.

The Centre is one of eight centres around the country which are to close.

Colchester MP Bob Russell said: "This is the latest example of the Government privatising and out-sourcing jobs in what they claim is being done on the grounds of efficiency and economy.

"I have met some of the Colchester staff who are to lose their jobs. They are not convinced by the arguments made by the Government, and they also raise questions about security of military deliveries being done by those who are not governed by the same high level of security which they have been operating under."

The threat to the Colchester jobs was first raised with Mr Russell earlier in the year, and he Tabled a Parliamentary Question on the matter.