Hundreds of civil service jobs are set to be created in the West Midlands as the government gears up to move a large part of the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) outside of London.
Robert Jenrick announced that the department would set up a second headquarters in his home city of Wolverhampton as part of the government’s drive to shift some of the focus away from London.
At least 500 civil servants will be working in the department’s new centre by 2025, with further recruitment planned by 2030.
Ministers as well as senior officials will also be permanently based in the Wolverhampton site to ensure policy decisions are taken away from Whitehall.
Jenrick, who was born in the city and went to its grammar school, said: “With a dual headquarters in Wolverhampton, my department will not only change where we work but how we work, signalling the end of the Whitehall-knows-best approach.
“All of us at the department are looking forward to having the opportunity to work there.”
The Communities secretary said the MHCLG would work with other Whitehall departments to increase posts in places outside of the capital.
He said: “This government knows that by having more local voices at the heart of our policy development and delivery, we will support our communities more effectively, and we will continue to develop greater career options in Government outside of London.
“In choosing the city of Wolverhampton, we are also backing our great smaller cities, some of which have been neglected for too long. We want to raise their stature, encourage civic pride and commercial success.”
Image: Aerial shot of Wolverhampton city centre. Credit: Stone’s Throw Media/Shutterstock
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