YORK Central MP Rachael Maskell has challenged a Government Minister over the decision to close Imphal Barracks by 2031, with the loss of 728 serving personnel and 365 civilian jobs.

The Labour MP said she had a ‘robust exchange’ with Defence Minister Mark Lancaster in London yesterday, and he had listened to the points she made.

She said she had previously held detailed discussions with the armed forces, families, the community, veterans, reserves and cadets, City of York Council and staff trade unions about the closure of the barracks in Fulford Road.

She claimed that in the face of Ministry of Defence policy, no social economic impact assessment had taken place ahead of the closure announcement and she asked for one to be held as a matter of urgency, She also said promises had been made to her predecessor, Sir Hugh Bayley, as recently as 2015, that the barracks were ‘here to stay.’ “ I will be following up the meeting in writing,” she said.

“I have also requested greater evidence behind the decision to close Imphal and will continue to fight for York to maintain its barracks.”