A trade union has pledged its support to protesters camping at the site of Bradford’s stalled Westfield development.

Members of the Bradford Department of Work and Pensions branch of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) gathered at the site last night to show their support to the Occupy Westfield group, which is calling for a public inquiry into the delay.

Rob Williams, branch secretary, read a message from PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka.

It read: “We welcome the protest by Occupy Westfield in highlighting the potential for investment and jobs in Bradford – a city which currently has the fastest-growing unemployment rate in the country.

“The site in the centre of Bradford is a metaphor for the giant hole in the government’s economic strategy. Austerity is damaging the economy and failing to create jobs.”

Westfield has written to protesters urging them to leave the site immediately.