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SCOOP: ‘Treasury North’ will lead the march of 22,000 civil servants out of London. Rishi Sunak is eyeing up Leeds, Newcastle or Teesside to initially house 750 officials from Treasury, MCHLG, BEIS, DFT and DIT
Levelling up latest with @GeorgeWParker https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
Where other Whitehall departments are going:
- Half of @DCMS will move to Manchester by 2025/2026
- MHCLG is set to open an office in Wolverhampton, with other parts going to Treasury north
- MOJ, MOD and DWP will also move officials out of Whitehall https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
- Half of @DCMS will move to Manchester by 2025/2026
- MHCLG is set to open an office in Wolverhampton, with other parts going to Treasury north
- MOJ, MOD and DWP will also move officials out of Whitehall https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
Covid-19 and remote working for the last year has accelerated the plans to move officials out of central London:
“Because we have operated so well with most officials working remotely this last year, it shows it can be done,” one govt insider said. https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
“Because we have operated so well with most officials working remotely this last year, it shows it can be done,” one govt insider said. https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
Unlike past Whitehall moves, Cabinet Office insists this will include senior civil servants (at SCS rank). Ministers will also have to spend a significant portion of their time in new offices.
"Everyone is clear this will have to involve senior people" https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
"Everyone is clear this will have to involve senior people" https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
There's a bunfight about where Treasury North should be. Sunak has been eyeing up a campus in Teesside but officials are against:
"Officials in London all want to work in cities like Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle because they have better cultural life" https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
"Officials in London all want to work in cities like Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle because they have better cultural life" https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
. @BenHouchen says TN “needs” to on Teesside:
“If he’s forced by the civil service to swap one metropolitan city for another, we might as well not bother. The Conservatives won’t be thanked for it — Manchester, Leeds or Newcastle are not the red wall." https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
“If he’s forced by the civil service to swap one metropolitan city for another, we might as well not bother. The Conservatives won’t be thanked for it — Manchester, Leeds or Newcastle are not the red wall." https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
Treasury says no final decision has been taken on a location for TN. Rishi Sunak expected to make the announcement in the coming weeks, possibly in March 3 budget.
For a summary of the argument, Yes Minister comes to the rescue
For a summary of the argument, Yes Minister comes to the rescue
These departments are only the start. The national infrastructure bank will also be based in the North, possibly in a different location to Treasury North.
Arms-length bodies - e.g. Homes England - are also being reviewed for moving out of London. https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
Arms-length bodies - e.g. Homes England - are also being reviewed for moving out of London. https://www.ft.com/content/2f44cb25-ea8a-4a8e-8f83-86a8b2acb2e0
