LOCAL MPs from both sides have urged Treasury bosses to keep HM Revenue and Customs offices in Bradford.

Labour MPs Judith Cummins, for Bradford South, and Imran Hussain, for Bradford East, met with Treasury Minister David Gauke and called for him to consider placing a new regional centre in Bradford rather than Leeds.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Cummins said: "It is becoming increasingly apparent that HMRC don’t have a solid case for their decision. On the contrary, there is a compelling case for locating the Yorkshire regional centre in Bradford rather than moving away.

“HMRC wants its regional centres to house around 4,400 staff. Well there are already more than 2,000 staff in Bradford and it’s the most central location for the current HMRC workforce.

"Add to that the financial benefits of lower accommodation costs, available sites close to transportation hubs and the case for Bradford becomes overwhelming."

The MPs presented Mr Gauke with a Bradford Council proposal to build a new HMRC centre on its Jacobs Well site in the city centre.

Mrs Cummins said the minister agreed to look at the proposal.

Mr Gauke also faced questions from Conservative MP for Shipley, Philip Davies, in the House of Commons.

Mr Davies said: "Will the minister accept that placing the HMRC regional hub in Bradford would be cheaper for the taxpayer, does he accept there is actually a suitable location available in Bradford and there is not in Leeds, and does he accept that an effective Northern Powerhouse does not mean basing everything in West Yorkshire in Leeds.

"Will he think again about this?"

Mr Gauke described Mr Davies as a "doughty advocate for the interest of his constituents" but added: "This is a regional centre for the whole of the Yorkshire and Humber area, in order to retain as many members of staff as possible and reduce redundancy costs HMRC assessment is that Leeds is a better location for those, for example, working in York, Sheffield or Hull where there is a direct train service to Leeds."

Three tax offices in the Bradford district are to close, under the current HMRC plans to centralise its staff in Leeds.

The closures will mean almost 2,000 jobs will be lost to the area by 2021.