Report into relocating civil service jobs is welcomed in Blackpool

Blackpool’s Town Prospectus, which last month helped secure the £39.5m Towns Fund money for the resort, envisages a civil service hub in the centre.

The Northern Policy Foundation study analyses the current structure of the Civil Service and previous attempts made over the past 70 years to relocate officials to help boost regional economies.

The report proposes the creation of 11 clusters across the North of England where departments and agencies could be relocated. It estimates that such a move could have an economic impact of nearly £3bn a year.

Michael Gove MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office said: "“Despite efforts of the past, all major Government departments are still based in London, with the concentration of senior, policy and economic jobs that comes with it.

“We can and will work to reduce the distance between Government and the people by relocating Government decision-making centres to different parts of our United Kingdom - including the North of England.

“This report adds to the economic, social, moral and intellectual imperative for change as well as laying out some of the benefits to levelling-up, decision making, tackling groupthink and ensuring that powerful voices within every arm of government are better in tune with the majority of public opinion.”

A Blackpool Council spokesman said: “Blackpool Council is supportive of any initiative that helps to deliver the Government’s levelling up agenda and to ensure that the northern regions are not disproportionately left behind.

"Our aspiration for a civil service hub in the town centre is well known and it’s our ambition to provide jobs in a sustainable location to benefit and strengthen the local economy.

"Whether this is achieved through relocation of Whitehall departments or by consolidating local civil service jobs into the town centre, we welcome any proposals and open discussions about how this can be achieved.”

Blackpool North MP Paul Maynard said: "With the Towns Fund bringing new investment to Blackpool including town centre capacity for civil service jobs, I do hope we can benefit.

"I have always believed those who make policy in areas like education and welfare shouldn’t be just sitting in a Whitehall bubble but living close to our schools or DWP offices to get an on-the-ground perspective”

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