Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Civil Service Jobs Outside London

Thursday 27 May 2021 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to relocating 22000 civil service roles from London to every part of the UK by 2030
  • Relocated jobs must include senior civil service roles for decision making
  • Rutland and Melton recommended for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs office due to agricultural college and production facilities

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Suzanne Webb
Employment Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the distribution of civil service jobs within the UK.

Question

What steps are being taken to deliver civil service jobs outside London. I am concerned about ensuring that civil service roles are distributed more equitably across the country, not just concentrated in London.

Answer from Michael Gove

The Government are committed to relocating 22,000 roles from London to every part of the United Kingdom by the end of this decade. The Cabinet Office has announced a second headquarters in Glasgow and other Departments have plans to increase their presence across the UK. Recently, the Home Office announced 500 new jobs in Stoke-on-Trent, and BEIS announced 865 roles relocating to six locations.

Answered
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Q2 Alexander Stafford
Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the quality of relocating civil service roles to northern constituencies.

Question

I have been fighting for decentralisation of the civil service to the north, particularly Rother Valley. Will you assure me that these relocated jobs will be high-quality and not just backroom processing positions?

Answer from Michael Gove

My hon. Friend's point is important; the jobs relocated must include those in the senior civil service responsible for decision making. The talent in South Yorkshire, including Rother Valley, provides a high quality of life and opportunities for deploying talent at the heart of decision making.

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Q3 Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is advocating for the inclusion of Rutland and Melton Mowbray as ideal locations for civil service job relocation.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that we cannot deliver the levelling-up agenda without considering both cities and rural areas such as Rutland and Melton? Can you visit Melton to see its case for a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs office?

Answer from Michael Gove

Rutland and Melton have been recommended to me by my hon. Friend. It has a superb agricultural college, produces excellent products, and offers facilities that recommend it to Government Departments for relocation jobs.

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Q4 Jonathan Gullis
Employment Local Government
Context

The MP is celebrating the Home Office's decision to relocate high-skilled jobs to Stoke-on-Trent.

Question

On behalf of Stoke-on-Trent, I thank my right hon. Friend for passing our litmus test on delivering over 500 high-skilled and well-paid Home Office jobs. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this shows the people of Stoke-on-Trent will never be forgotten again?

Answer from Michael Gove

My hon. Friend's persistence has paid off, and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary recognises that Stoke-on-Trent is absolutely the right home for the second Home Office HQ.

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Q5 Suzanne Webb
Employment Local Government
Context

The MP is promoting Stourbridge as an ideal candidate for future Government job relocation.

Question

Now here comes my pitch! My constituency of Stourbridge is full of talent and ambition. Should it be top of the list for future proposed civil service moves outside London?

Answer from Michael Gove

Stourbridge, along with other west midlands locations like Wolverhampton and Walsall, is a fantastic location not just for Government jobs but also for the private sector. It's part of a revival in the west midlands.

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