The UK government will require all Whitehall departments to submit relocation plans for civil servants in order to access Treasury funding. This move is part of a wider reform strategy aimed at reducing the centralisation of government in London.
Ministers want to shift thousands of civil service jobs to towns and cities across the UK. The goal is to bring policy-making closer to the communities it directly impacts.
Currently, one in five civil servants—about 100,000 people—work in London. Meanwhile, the north-west of England hosts around 70,000 civil service staff. The total number of full-time civil servants has risen from 380,000 in 2016 to over 500,000 today.
Officials say the proposed relocations could generate over £700 million in economic benefits for cities like Leeds, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Bristol by 2030.
The Places for Growth plan was first introduced in 2020 by Rishi Sunak. Labour has now adopted and expanded the scheme as part of a broader reform agenda.
In addition to the relocations, Labour plans to cut over 10,000 civil service roles. This reduction comes amid concerns that the workforce expanded too much during Brexit and the pandemic.
Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden will inform all departments that their funding allocations in June depend on submitting clear relocation strategies.
The government will also publish the first-ever strategic workforce plan for the civil service. It will assess whether Whitehall’s size and structure are suited to modern governance.
A government spokesperson said the goal is to build a stronger civil service presence across the UK. The reforms are designed to improve local job creation, regional growth, and alignment between policy and real-life challenges.
Officials say relocating jobs will help civil servants better understand the issues facing frontline services and communities.
Civil servants in regional offices will continue hybrid working, with at least three days per week expected in the office.
The reforms also include performance-based pay for senior staff and stricter management standards. Poor performers could face accelerated exit procedures.
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