Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Civil Service Jobs: Relocation

Thursday 25 June 2026 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has relocated 23,000 civil service roles from London, surpassing initial targets.
  • Smaller towns and cities are being considered for future civil service relocations to support local communities and talent pipelines.
  • The opening of a Ministry of Defence indoor drone testing facility in Swindon has prompted strategic placement of civil service roles to support the centre.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Will Stone Lab Swindon North
Context

The MP is concerned about the steps taken to support civil service role relocations.

Question

What steps have been taken to support the relocation of civil service roles?

Answer from Anna Turley

This Government are committed to delivering a truly national civil service, one that lives and breathes the communities that we represent across the UK. We have relocated 23,000 roles from London, exceeding our target, and are now committed to over 50% of the senior civil service and fast streamers being based outside London by 2030. Three new thematic campuses in Aberdeen, Manchester, and the west midlands have been launched.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response provided context but did not specify concrete commitments or timelines for future relocations.

How: Under Review

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Q2 Julie Minns Lab Carlisle
Employment Northern Ireland Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of civil service relocations on towns with ageing populations.

Question

Will the Minister ensure that future civil service relocations give particular consideration to smaller cities and towns with ageing populations, so that we retain our young people, attract working-age populations, and support the long-term prosperity of those communities?

Answer from Anna Turley

We are working with all Departments to strengthen our presence in every English region, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Smaller towns and cities will continue to support our talent pipelines and remain crucial to our overall national presence. North-west bootcamps have supported over 200 local professionals into entry-level civil service roles, and over 4,000 roles have been relocated to the region since the beginning of the Places for Growth programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response provided context but did not specify concrete commitments or timelines for future relocations in smaller towns with ageing populations.

How: Under Review

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Q3 Will Stone Lab Swindon North
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The MP is seeking backing for the relocation of civil service roles to support an indoor drone testing facility.

Question

Following the fantastic opening of the indoor drone testing facility in Swindon, what backing is the Minister giving to the relocation of civil service and Government roles in order to support this centre?

Answer from Anna Turley

I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in welcoming the opening of the Ministry of Defence indoor testing facility in Swindon; it is great news. The civil service opportunities that it provides are strategically located, partly through the relocation of roles.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response provided context but did not specify concrete commitments or timelines for relocating roles to support the drone testing facility.

How: Under Review

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact on civil servants who have settled in their communities and may face relocation.

Question

Could the Minister indicate that there will be fair play for civil servants who have shown many years of commitment, that they will not have to move, and that there will be provision made for them?

Answer from Anna Turley

We must get the balance right. Many fantastic civil servants are embedded in their communities delivering for them, but I am sure that he would support the importance of the opportunity that civil service roles offer to stimulate growth in regions across our nations.

Not addressed: The response did not address the specific concerns about settled civil servants facing relocations.

How: Changing Subject

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