The government has unveiled plans to relocate more civil service roles to Manchester - with a focus on the former Central Retail Park site that is set to undergo huge regeneration.
After an eight-year-long saga, the green light was finally given in February to transform the old Toys R Us site in Ancoats into a cutting-edge office complex. The newly christened 'Manchester Digital Campus' is poised to house 7,000 civil servants.
In a significant reshuffle of the civil service, the government has now confirmed its intention to shift jobs to this new hub in Ancoats.
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As part of this strategy, 11 office buildings in London will be shuttered over the next five years, resulting in annual savings of £94m. By 2030, the number of jobs based in London will be slashed by 12,000 as positions are transferred to 13 towns and cities across the 海角视频, reports .
Government departments are set to submit their plans detailing the number of roles they intend to move to each location in the coming weeks.
However, today (May 14), the cabinet office has confirmed plans for a new Government Digital and AI Innovation Campus in Manchester.
Manchester council, which purchased Central Retail Park for £37m in 2017, has been collaborating with the Government Property Agency on plans to unite civil servants working in digital and AI-related roles in a new building at the site off Great Ancoats Street.
that the new office complex in Ancoats is unlikely to be operational before 2028, meaning some relocated roles will initially be based in other government buildings in Greater Manchester until the construction is completed.
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Manchester council leader Bev Craig said: "The new Manchester Digital Campus will be transformational to our city.
"We have been working closely with this Government to bring forward this flagship digital campus to Ancoats that will bring 7,000 quality jobs to Manchester, building on the success of growing Government digital and AI cluster already in the city and turbocharge our plans for economic growth in digital, AI and cyber sectors.
"This is great news from the Cabinet Office delivering on their ambition to connect Whitehall with local communities outside of London.
"Locating Government jobs in Manchester is a boost for our residents, and also helps national government deliver better services, tapping into our growing and talented workforce and helping get stuck in with real life issues that can improve services, lead to better Government and improve lives.
"Over the last decade Manchester has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in Europe and one of fastest growing tech and digital ecosystems in the 海角视频.
"The new digital and AI campus will accelerate that and attract more businesses to the 海角视频 to help grow the economy."
She added: "We are excited to work in partnership with National Government to deliver this transformational change."
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Since 2020, more than 2,000 civil service roles assigned to London have been transitioned to Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester has become an established base for digital and technology-based roles within the civil service, including a strategic hub for GCHQ located at Albert Square. Additionally, the Departments for Science, Innovation and Technology and Culture, Media and Sport have situated their 'second HQs' within the region.
The new campus in Manchester is set to consolidate civil servants working in the digital and AI sector, fostering enhanced collaboration.
The government pledges cooperation with local authorities and academic institutions to strengthen the 'talent pipeline' associated with burgeoning campus locations.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, added: "To deliver our Plan for Change, we are taking more decision-making out of Whitehall and moving it closer to communities all across the 海角视频.
"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."