THE House of Lords could move to York, a senior Conservative has confirmed.

According to the Sunday Times the Prime Minister told officers to start planning the move last week. 

The members of the Upper House could be sitting within a few years and could remain in York permanently.

The city's Labour MP Rachael Maskell has welcomed the news, saying it could bring thousands of jobs and improvements to York's infrastructure, especially transport. 

She will be lobbying for the report to become reality. 

The leader of the City of York Council Cllr Keith Aspden has called for more investment in York. 

The council is currently working with the Government on developing the York Central site, which could include the proposed site of a new House of Lords. 

James Cleverly, chairman of the Conservative Party, said this morning on national television confirmed the move to York was being investigated.

"It’s one of a range of things that we are looking into," he said. "“It’s about demonstrating to people that we are going to do things differently."

The Sunday Times report says the Prime Minister is planning to move the House of Lords permanently to the city.

Disused government-owned land close to the railway station has been identified as a "prime site".

The York Central project next to the station is set to be developed in partnership with the government - but no mention has been made so far of a new government building going on the land.

The leader of City of York Council Cllr Keith Aspden urged the Government to invest in the city.

Read about his views on the House of Lords announcement here

The article says York is the frontrunner to host the second chamber - with Birmingham also being considered.

The paper's political editor Tim Shipman adds that a constitutional review to be launched in the spring will decide the location.