Government reshuffle '˜means Sheffield job cuts could be reversed'

Mr Blomfield said he is seeking an urgent meeting with new Education Secretary Justine Greening to discuss whether jobs can be saved.

It was announced in May that the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills was to shut its Sheffield office at St Paul’s Square by 2018.

But Mrs May’s reshuffle has now transferred responsibility for further education, skills and higher education from BIS to the Department for Education, which already shares the St Paul’s Square office.

Mr Blomfield said: “The abolition of the Business Innovation and Skills Department is a big mistake, but it provides an opportunity to put a stop to the crazy decision to centralise policy work in London.

“The Education Department already has a Sheffield office which is shared with the BIS staff, whose expertise is in further and higher education as well as apprenticeships.

“They can now continue their work in Sheffield as part of the Education Department.”

Mr Blomfield believes his case is strengthened by a 2012 DoE review which said the department benefits from having offices around the country instead of solely being based in London.