In a bold move to cut costs and decentralize public services, the UK government plans to shift thousands of civil servant roles out of London by 2032. The initiative includes shutting down 11 major office sites in the capital, reducing London-based roles by 12,000, and opening new regional government hubs in cities like Manchester and Aberdeen.
The restructuring is projected to save the government £94 million annually and aims to stimulate local economies by redistributing jobs across the country. Manchester’s upcoming campus will focus on digital and AI innovation, while Aberdeen’s site will specialize in energy. A third regional center is in development, with details expected soon.
Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden emphasized the strategic nature of this plan. “We’re bringing decision-making closer to the people and ensuring our civil service represents every corner of the UK,” he said. “This isn’t just about cost savings—it’s about making the government more reflective and connected to the communities it serves.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, McFadden confirmed that while remote meetings will become more common, civil servants will still be required to work in-office at least 60% of the time.
The Labour government has made clear its intent to trim down what it sees as an oversized civil service. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to slash operational government costs by 15% within the decade, and the Cabinet Office itself is planning to shed over 2,000 roles in the next two years.
Reactions from Unions and Political Rivals
While public sector unions welcomed the broader goal of empowering regional offices, they called for clearer details on implementation and job security. FDA union leader Dave Penman said the announcement sparked “uncertainty” among workers facing office closures, particularly at large sites like 102 Petty France and 39 Victoria Street in London.
Prospect union chief Mike Clancy echoed the sentiment, urging the government to collaborate more closely with unions to ensure a smooth and fair transition.
Meanwhile, the opposition criticised Labour’s approach. Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Alex Burghart slammed the proposal as superficial, accusing Labour of merely shifting offices around rather than truly slimming the government. “Only the Conservatives are serious about cutting the size of the state,” he said.
Regional Expansion to Boost Local Economies
In addition to the new campuses, roles will be distributed to other cities including Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, Newcastle, York, and Sheffield. The regional rollout is expected to inject nearly £729 million into local economies by 2030.
The government’s longer-term vision includes relocating 50% of senior UK-based civil servants out of London within the next five years. Officials say this will increase diversity of thought and regional representation in policymaking.
While the number of jobs affected by the relocation is still being finalised as part of an ongoing spending review, sources suggest more than 10,000 civil service positions could ultimately be cut.
As the government seeks to modernize and rebalance its workforce, Wednesday’s announcement marks one of the most significant civil service overhauls in recent decades—one that could redefine the geography of UK governance for generations.
