Government announces over 1000 civil service jobs to be relocated to Scotland

The move brings key decision makers closer to the communities they serve and will strengthen diversity in the UK Civil Service. The new jobs and investment form part of the UK Government’s commitment to level up in every part of the United Kingdom and build back stronger, fairer and greener from the pandemic.

Today’s announcement will also mean that ministers will spend a significant amount of time outside of London, as the UK Government and Scottish work in partnership to build a sustainable recovery. This will create new opportunities to join UK efforts in tackling joint domestic and international challenges, and allow closer collaboration between Scotland’s two governments as we work together to build back better from the pandemic.

Underlining the importance of the United Kingdom pulling together as we embark upon a road to recovery, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, has confirmed today that the Cabinet Office will establish a second flagship headquarters in Glasgow, with at least 500 staff based there within the next four years. The move will build on the presence of the COP 26 team, the major international climate change conference, and will include officials from a range of civil service functions.

The Foreign Secretary has also confirmed today that an additional 500 roles are moving to FCDO’s joint-headquarters in East Kilbride, taking the total number of jobs at its Scottish base to more than 1,500 by 2025. This underlines the immense contribution that the Scottish people make to the UK’s foreign policy and international development work as we tackle global challenges as one United Kingdom.

In addition, the Transport Secretary has announced creating a second headquarters in Birmingham and a Northern Hub in Leeds, with the creation of an initial 650 jobs between the two sites by the end of 2025. It is a particularly important step for the DfT, given the huge role the department has to play in levelling up the UK through investment in vital transport infrastructure and services.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove said:

“The Cabinet Office’s new HQ in Glasgow will co-locate the engine room of the UK Government in Scotland, bringing decision makers closer to the communities they serve and ensuring closer collaboration between Scotland’s two governments as we tackle the COVID-19 pandemic together and work to build a sustainable recovery.

“Not only will this bring new jobs and investment to Scotland, it will strengthen the diversity of the UK Civil Service, ending the Westminster knows best approach to policymaking and ensuring Scottish voices shape everything we do.

“The road to recovery from the pandemic will be tough, but with all four nations pulling together we can ensure we build back a stronger, fairer and greener United Kingdom.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:

“There can be no clearer demonstration of commitment to our joint HQ in East Kilbride than today’s announcement that an extra 500 Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office jobs are coming to Scotland. This will further ensure the Civil Service represents all parts of the UK and will be a boost to the Scottish Economy.

“Staff at Abercrombie House are at the forefront of delivering the UK’s diplomatic clout, as we prepare to host the G7 and COP26, while supporting the delivery of our £10billion aid budget to continue helping the world’s poorest people.”

Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said:

“This is a historic move for the Department and part of a significant wider culture change across Whitehall.

“Transport is absolutely vital to the local communities we serve and having hubs in major cities like Birmingham and Leeds will offer a fresh perspective on how we can better serve these areas.”

Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary Alex Chisholm said:

“The Civil Service needs to draw on the talents and skills of individuals and communities across the UK.

“With the Cabinet Office establishing our second headquarters outside of London, we are opening up opportunities for our existing staff to develop their careers, while also drawing on a new and diverse talent pool.

“This is why it’s great news that the Cabinet Office will now be operating out of Glasgow, as our second headquarters, as well as in York and other locations across the UK.”

The plans announced today are part of the government’s drive to move 22,000 civil service roles from London to communities across the UK by 2030.

The Cabinet Office, the heart of the UK government, will also continue to build the UK Government presence in Scotland, including in Queen Elizabeth House, the new UK Government Office in Edinburgh.

Today’s announcement will bring economic benefits, with new spending power of those civil servants working in and around the areas outlined. £65m has been allocated for the Government Hubs Programme in 2021/22 for office works and improvements.

Notes to editors

• Evidence of past relocations of civil servants shows that bringing public sector roles to an area also stimulates creation of private sector roles, investment in office space and opportunities for local businesses to supply services. A recent study found that for every 10 public sector roles moved to a town under the Lyons Review relocations in 2004, 11 private sector roles were created. The move of the 1,150 Met Office roles to Exeter was estimated to add £65million to local Gross Value Added.

• The relocating civil servants out of London will also save taxpayer’s money, by reducing the estate costs that are associated with London, as part of the planned £2.5bn savings over the next 20 years from the Government Hubs and Whitehall Campus Programmes.

• Currently one in five civil servants are based in London, with the percentage of those at senior civil servant level in London much higher, standing at 68%. Today’s announcement will mean the more senior roles will move out of London, allowing for greater opportunity for non-London based staff to progress to senior levels.

• Places for Growth will provide opportunity, career paths outside of London, further demonstrating the government commitment to the regions and nations of the UK, complimenting the MHCLG-led levelling up fund, announced in November 2020.