In a landmark move to bring government closer to the communities it serves, the UK Government has announced a major shake-up that will see thousands of civil service roles relocated from London to towns and cities across all four nations of the UK.
The initiative is expected to deliver £729 million in economic benefits to 13 designated growth areas by 2030.
The decentralisation plan aims to ensure that policy is developed and delivered with a deeper understanding of local needs. By embedding civil servants in regional communities, the government hopes to foster stronger connections between Whitehall and the people its policies affect.
Currently, over 31,500 civil service roles are based in Wales, including 9,230 in Cardiff, with 14 major UK Government departments already operating in the nation. The new plan will significantly expand this regional presence, with departments now required to submit detailed proposals on how many roles they will move to each of the 13 newly named locations.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, commented:
“To deliver our Plan for Change, we are taking more decision-making out of Whitehall and moving it closer to communities all across the UK.
“By relocating thousands of Civil Service roles we will not only save taxpayers money, we will make this Government one that better reflects the country it serves. We will also be making sure that Government jobs support economic growth throughout the country.
“As we radically reform the state, we are going to make it much easier for talented people everywhere to join the Civil Service and help us rebuild Britain.”
The reforms are also designed to open up civil service careers to talented individuals across the UK. For the first time, young people will be able to progress from school or university into senior government roles without ever needing to work in Whitehall.
To support this, the government will:
- Ensure 50% of UK-based Senior Civil Servants are located in regional offices by 2030
- Reform the Fast Stream graduate programme, with at least half of placements based outside London
The move is part of a broader strategy to enhance the impact of government in local communities, supporting job creation and economic development. It will also bring civil servants closer to frontline services, improving their understanding of the real-world challenges facing local authorities and public services.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has emphasised the importance of a more regionally balanced civil service, stating that the changes will help ensure government is “not just working for the people, but working with them.”
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