THE GOVERNMENT should move its offices to Barking and Dagenham if it is serious about saving money, according to a senior councillor.

Cabinet member for finance, Cllr Cameron Geddes, has called on the prime minister David Cameron and chancellor George Osborne to consider making major savings by shifting civil servants from central London.

He believes this move that could create a “mini-Whitehall” in Barking and Dagenham.

Cllr Geddes said: “If the coalition government are serious about reducing costs what better way than by relocating civil servants from expensive central London to a cheaper borough like our own, where office costs are considerably less?

“Barking and Dagenham has excellent public transport links with central London. Office space costs a fraction of what it does in Whitehall and Westminster.

“The Government could save millions if civil servants re-located here. A move would also give a much needed economic boost to the borough.”