In a major shift in government policy, Sheffield has been selected to host the first-ever policy campus outside London, marking a significant milestone in the government's ongoing Whitehall reform programme. The initiative aims to decentralise key government roles, opening them up to talent across the country and boosting regional economies.
The establishment of the Sheffield policy campus is the cornerstone of a strategy to move significant policy-making roles out of the capital. The intention is to create a hub where individuals can advance their careers in decision-making positions without the need to relocate to London. This marks a departure from the traditional focus on operational roles outside the capital, and it is part of a broader strategy to ensure government policies are shaped by people from all regions and backgrounds, reflecting the communities they serve and promoting economic growth.
New data shows that as part of the government's 'Places for Growth' programme, over 2,400 roles have been moved from London to Yorkshire and the Humber. In total, 12,000 roles have been relocated across the UK, with plans to move 22,000 out of the capital by 2030. These relocations are projected to generate substantial economic benefits, both for the regions and the country as a whole, with studies suggesting a local economic benefit of £30 million per 1,000 roles relocated
Alex Burghart, Cabinet Office Minister, commented on the launch: "This policy campus is a commitment to the people of Sheffield that local people will have a central role to play in the development of major national policies. This region has an immense array of talent and I’m delighted that we’re going to make use of it".
Currently, around 1,000 civil servants from various departments, including the Department for Education, the Home Office, and the Department for Work & Pensions, are based at the site. The Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Transport, and the Cabinet Office have moved the most roles to Yorkshire and the Humber, with 637 roles relocated to Sheffield under the scheme
Cabinet Secretary Simon Case emphasized the importance of the initiative, saying: "We need people with a broad range of experiences, backgrounds, and insights if we are going to deliver for the whole of the UK, and initiatives such as the Sheffield Policy Campus will allow us to do exactly that"
The establishment of the Sheffield policy campus was undertaken in conjunction with the City Council, The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, and the combined authority, aimed at building a strong talent pipeline for policy jobs in the city. The campus will enhance collaboration between departments with shared goals, such as policy teams at DfE and DWP working together on initiatives like the National Careers Service.
This initiative is part of a wider strategy to establish specific sectors or disciplines within government aligned with regions across the UK, with further announcements expected in due course.
