As it was officially opened today, a new government hub that has space for up to 1700 civil servants has been lauded as an example of Levelling Up in action by assisting in the distribution of additional employment to the West Midlands (28 July).
The building, which will contain 20 government departments and public organisations on nine newly renovated levels, was officially opened by Minister Rees-Mogg, who oversees government efficiency and Brexit opportunities for the Cabinet Office.
The consolidation of the government teams under one roof is anticipated to save the taxpayers almost £2 million annually.
Previously, the government teams were dispersed among eight distinct buildings.
Through the Places for Growth programme, which will move 22,000 functions out of the city by 2030, civil service positions are being transferred from London to Birmingham.
More than 2,100 positions will be transferred from the West Midlands to Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, and Wolverhampton by 2025, according to a commitment made by the government.
The Government Property Agency’s goal to reduce the number of public buildings and concentrate them in town and city centres includes the new contemporary offices that were constructed on the former site of the Theatre Royal and Woolworths at 23 Stephenson Street.
The new Government Property Agency centre, which I officially launched in Birmingham today, is a strong indication of Her Majesty’s Government’s commitment to the West Midlands, according to Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The increased foot traffic in the city centre will be beneficial for Birmingham businesses, and local residents will now have more opportunity to establish lucrative careers in government.
This hub is a crucial component of our efforts to build a leaner, more effective public estate that will benefit the entire United Kingdom while saving taxpayer money.
Given that workers typically reinvest around 50% of their salary in the local economy, it is anticipated that these positions will significantly enhance local business and enterprise.
As part of plans to shift 22,000 employment by 2030, 6,000 roles have already been moved out of the South East and throughout the UK.
880 Civil Service positions have already relocated to the West Midlands, many of which are headquartered in the new centre. Birmingham is currently home to more than 400 posts in central government teams, including teams from the Cabinet Office, Department for Transport, and other departments.
Following the development of the department’s second headquarters in the city, Wolverhampton has also benefited from the relocation of almost 200 positions at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.
The Birmingham Hub is yet another important accomplishment for the GPA’s Government Hubs Programme and our ambition to create wonderful places to work across the UK, according to Clive Anderson, director of capital projects for the organisation.
The once vacant retail space has been renovated into a contemporary, digitally connected, and open workspace for government employees with better energy efficiency.
The offices at 23 Stephenson Street are powered by energy sources and clever lighting, earning a “Very Good” rating for their sustainability.
In line with larger government objectives, the building’s repurposing will assist the government in keeping its pledge to achieve carbon neutrality for the public estate.