Thousands of civil service jobs to relocate away from London

The UK government has unveiled a significant restructuring of the public sector, aiming to relocate 12,000 civil service jobs from London to regional hubs across the country. This initiative is part of a broader effort to decentralise government operations, enhance efficiency, and bring decision-making closer to communities. As part of this plan, eleven government offices in London are slated for closure, including prominent sites such as the Ministry of Justice in Victoria, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Department for Work and Pensions at Caxton House. The consolidation is projected to save £94 million annually in property costs by 2032.

Two new government campuses will be established: one in Manchester, focusing on artificial intelligence and digital innovation, and another in Aberdeen, dedicated to energy. Additional roles will be distributed among cities including Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow, and the north-east. The government’s objective is to have 50% of all civil servants located outside London within five years.

Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden emphasised the government’s commitment to decentralisation, stating, “By relocating thousands of civil service roles, we will not only save taxpayers money, we will make this government one that better reflects the country it serves.”

This move aligns with Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ pledge to cut around 10,000 civil service jobs as part of efforts to reduce government running costs by 10-15% by the end of the decade. Departments have been instructed to detail how they will achieve these reductions in the upcoming spending review.

While the initiative has been met with cautious optimism, concerns have been raised regarding its implementation. The FDA union, representing senior civil servants, has called for clarity on the impact of office closures and job relocations, emphasising the need for fair treatment and flexible working options for affected staff.

The government’s plan also includes the establishment of three new regional campuses: one in Manchester focusing on digital innovation and artificial intelligence, another in Aberdeen dedicated to energy, and a third location yet to be announced. The goal is to have 50% of UK-based senior civil servants working outside London by 2030.