The government will open new departmental hubs in Aberdeen, Darlington and Greater Manchester as it brings forward plans to move 22,000 civil servants out of Westminster.
Ministers had original set a deadline of 2030 to relocate the roles from London, but that has now been brought forward to 2027.
As part of this push, “second headquarters” locations have been announced for three government departments in Aberdeen, Darlington and Greater Manchester, while a further 320 government roles will move to Wrexham.
Figures published today (12 December) show that 16,061 roles have already been moved out of London, exceeding the government’s Places for Growth commitment to relocate 15,000 by 2025.
Darlington has already been established as the Treasury’s second headquarters.
The Department for Business and Trade will now also set up shop in Darlington, while the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will take space in Greater Manchester.
Aberdeen has been confirmed as the location of a second headquarters for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, in addition to Salford.
Previously, under the government’s Aberdeen City Regional Deal, it was agreed that £90m of funding would be directed towards the city’s Net Zero Technology Centre, which is working to help decarbonise the oil and gas industry.
The Department for Work and Pensions has said it will fill 270 new roles in Wrexham, while the Ministry of Justice has committed to place 50 roles in Wrexham rather than London.
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