Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Civil Service: Jobs Outside London

Thursday 8 July 2021 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government plans to relocate 22,000 civil service roles from London by the end of the decade.
  • The Government aim to ensure the civil service is better connected with communities across the country.
  • The Minister commits to working with Durham County Council to explore possibilities for a new facility.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the concentration of civil service jobs in central London and its impact on representation for other regions.

Question

What plans does he have to move departmental civil service roles outside central London?

Answer from Michael Gove

The Government are committed to relocating 22,000 civil service roles from London by the end of the decade. Our “Places for Growth” portfolio is a vehicle to ensure that between now and 2030 the civil service becomes better connected with the people and communities it serves. A number of Departments have already made announcements about relocation, and further announcements will be made in due course.

Answered
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Q2 Peter Gibson
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The MP highlights the planned relocation of civil service jobs to Tees, emphasising its importance for national policy decisions.

Question

Does he agree that moving civil service jobs outside London is vital to ensuring that communities across the country are reflected in national policy decisions?

Answer from Michael Gove

'100%', as they say on 'Love Island'. My hon. Friend is completely right. We must ensure that we make use of the fantastic local talent that there is in the north-east and County Durham so that people whose voices have not been heard loudly enough in the corridors of power are properly represented.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific commitments or concrete plans for representation

How: '100%', As They Say On 'Love Island'., My Hon. Friend Is Completely Right.

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Q3 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Local Government
Context

The MP raises concerns about a £50 million county hall inherited by the new joint administration in Durham, which could become an unused facility if not utilised effectively.

Question

To prevent it from becoming an enormous white elephant—a totem to Labour's hubris in its administration of County Durham for over 100 years—will my right hon. Friend commit to working with the new joint administration in Durham County Council to explore all the possibilities that this new facility might have?

Answer from Michael Gove

I absolutely will. It is horrific that so much public money has been misused by the former Labour administration in Durham County Council and that the people of that county have been so poorly served. I will of course absolutely investigate that, but I should say that if it was a choice between Durham and Consett for the relocation of Government jobs, I would choose Consett every time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific commitment to exploring possibilities for county hall usage

How: I Will Of Course Absolutely Investigate That, But I Should Say That If It Was A Choice Between Durham And Consett For The Relocation Of Government Jobs, I Would Choose Consett Every Time.

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