UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK to move 22,000 civil servants from London, tying funding to plans that shift roles closer to communities across towns and cities in the country.
As reported by The Guardian, Whitehall departments must outline plans to shift staff from London to access Treasury funding in the upcoming spending review.
How will relocating civil servants impact UK communities?
The plan to shift civil service roles to several UK towns and cities aims to bring government decision-making closer to the communities that will feel its effects.
Nearly 100,000 civil servants, or 20%, are based in London. Another 70,000 are working in the north-west region of England. The total number of full-time civil servants in central government has grown to 513,000, up from about 380,000 in 2016.
According to the government, moving civil service jobs could provide a £700 million economic boost to towns such as Leeds, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Bristol by 2030.
Staff based in regional offices outside London must spend at least three days a week in the office.
To improve efficiency, the government plans to introduce performance-related pay for senior roles and quicker exits for those not meeting standards.
How will the “Places for Growth” plan impact civil service reform?
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced the “Places for Growth” scheme in 2020. The plan aimed to relocate 22,000 civil servants to support the Conservatives’ levelling up agenda.
Labour has adopted the scheme as part of its wider efforts to reform the state. These plans include cutting over 10,000 civil service roles, amid concerns the sector expanded excessively following Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pat McFadden, Cabinet Office minister, will notify Whitehall departments that their funding for June allocation depends on submitting relocation plans.
Alongside the spending review, the first strategic workforce plan for the civil service will be released, assessing Whitehall’s structure and its suitability for modern governance.
What did the Government say about strengthening civil service impact?
A government source stated,
“We’re keen to go further to enhance the impact of government in places across the country so that the civil service has an active presence in communities across the UK and contributes to local growth and job creation.”
They added,
“The plans will see more roles working closer to frontline services, facilitating greater understanding of the real issues facing local services and people, and how central government policy can support them. Central government can’t solve the issues facing local communities from Whitehall alone.”
History of civil service relocation
- 1968 Fulton Report: Civil service too London-centric.
- 2004 Lyons Review: National activities too focused in London.
- 2010 Smith Review: Recommended more regional relocation.
- 2020 Gove Lecture: Advocated moving decision-making centres.
- 2021 Government Reform: Push for more civil servants outside London.
Major reasons for civil service relocation
- Enable skilled professionals outside London to participate more fully in the civil service.
- Encourage officials to engage with non-metropolitan communities to counter urban-centric views.
- Relocate public sector jobs to economically deprived areas to support regional development.