Leeds to become second DWP HQ
Today, Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey is set to announce that the vibrant city of Leeds will become the Department for Work and Pensions’ second HQ and will house a Ministerial office due to open this April.
Leeds is already home to seven jobcentres, including Southern House where last year’s hit Channel 4 series “The Yorkshire Jobcentre” was filmed.
And with over 600 jobcentres nationwide, an extra 80 temporary jobcentres announced this week and many more to follow in the coming months, the department has an established role in communities across the country. Over 90% of DWP staff, including over 20,000 Work Coaches, are already based outside of London.
This permanent ministerial office comes as the government ramps up its plans for more hubs across the country, and will officially open next month.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Thérèse Coffey said:
Designating Quarry House in Leeds as our second HQ with Ministerial offices builds on our presence in towns and cities across Britain. Leeds has a leading role in this country’s recovery as we build back better and deliver our Plan for Jobs. DWP ministers are excited about our second office, giving us direct entry into the Northern Powerhouse.
The new ministerial offices will be in the department’s Quarry House office in the east of the city, where core services such as digital, HR, finance, policy and operations are already established. The Secretary of State has already been to Quarry House.
Today’s announcement comes as a part of the government levelling up agenda, including a pledge to reduce any regional imbalances in public sector roles by moving 22,000 Civil Service roles, currently based in London and the South East to other hubs around the UK by 2030.
The Department of Health and Social Care will also establish a regular ministerial presence in its existing second HQ in the city.
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