Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Civil Servants: Relocation

Thursday 16 March 2023 · 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

  • Progress has been made in relocating civil servants from London, with 11,000 roles relocated out of a 22,000 target.
  • Departments use workforce and locational analysis to select places for civil servant relocations, including factors like proximity to farming communities and universities.
  • Ongoing discussions are taking place between individual Departments and civil servants to resolve pay issues and get workers back to their roles.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Selaine Saxby
Context

The MP is concerned about progress on relocating civil servants from London to other regions as part of a 10-year programme.

Question

What progress has been made in relocating civil servants from London, given that the target is to relocate 22,000 roles across the UK?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

Just three years into our 10-year programme, we have already hit 50% of our target to relocate 22,000 roles from London across the UK. Therefore, more than 11,000 roles have been relocated.

Answered
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Q2 Selaine Saxby
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP suggests that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) should be relocated to Devon due to its suitability as a centre for environmental and rural affairs.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that Devon is the natural habitat for DEFRA given its role in food security, proximity to farming communities, universities specializing in climate sciences, and rurality?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

Departments select places for role relocations using workforce and locational analysis, including factors mentioned by my hon. Friend. As she knows, DEFRA already has 550 full-time employees in Devon and nearly 2,000 across the south-west.

Partly answered

Not addressed: the specific relocation of DEFRA to Devon

How: Departments Select Places For Role Relocations Using Workforce And Locational Analysis, Including Factors Mentioned By My Hon. Friend.

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Q3 Martyn Day SNP
Taxation Employment
Context

The MP joined striking Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members on a demonstration, with around 130,000 civil servants participating in the strike demanding better pay and conditions.

Question

With civil servant strikes affecting all four nations of the UK due to their pay being determined centrally at Westminster, when will the Government deliver a pay uplift reflecting the work of civil servants throughout the country?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

Individual Departments determine the pay and conditions for their civil servants. There are ongoing discussions with officials, including meetings I had with PCS members in January. We want to resolve issues and get people back to work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: commitment on delivering a pay uplift

How: Individual Departments Determine The Pay And Conditions For Their Civil Servants.

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