Region’s cities ‘on Treasury base list’

Two Yorkshire cities are reported to be on the shortlist for a relocation of civil servants out of London and to the North. The Chancellor will be announcing where its new base – known as Treasury North – will be located next week’s Budget.

But one paper reported Leeds, Bradford, Darlington, and Newcastle were the final four.

TWO WEST Yorkshire cities are reported to be on the shortlist for a major relocation of civil servants out of London and to the North.

The Treasury said the Chancellor would be announcing where its new base – known as Treasury North – will be located next week’s Budget.

But the Financial Times reported Leeds, Bradford, Darlington, and Newcastle were the final four locations on the shortlist.

Matt Robinson, the Conservative candidate for the West Yorkshire mayoral race in May, welcomed Leeds and Bradford’s reported consideration.

He said: “Leeds and Bradford are both fantastic cities with a rich history of welcoming and supporting ventures.

“The important part of Treasury North is getting civil servants out of Whitehall and understanding our towns, cities and communities across the North.”

His Labour rival Tracy Brabin said she had written to the Chancellor to urge him to bring the base to West Yorkshire.

She said: “I’m happy that Leeds and Bradford have been shortlisted as locations for Treasury North, as it shows the Government is taking steps to show a real commitment to West Yorkshire.

Both cities are brilliant candidates that offer so many opportunities and it would be a real shame to see the Treasury move anywhere that isn’t in West Yorkshire.

“Leeds is the biggest financial sector outside of London, and as a vibrant city with a thriving financial sector, it would make perfect sense to keep the Treasury close to this industry in the North, taking advantage of the talent that is naturally attracted to the city.

“Bradford, with its vibrant, diverse and ambitious population – one of the youngest populations in the country and one of the top six cities in the UK equipped for future growth – would be a great candidate for the Treasury too, especially as its home to three of the UK’s biggest financial institutions.

“This is a massive opportunity for the region and will bring well-paid and highly-skilled jobs for people across the region, representing a vote of confidence in the ambition of the hard-working people of West Yorkshire.”

And James Lewis, the new leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We would love to welcome the Treasury’s new economic campus to Leeds, and believe they would thrive in our city, which is right at the heart of the UK.

“Not only do we have strong financial services credentials, we also offer access to a wealth of so many talented, diverse people from across the city and Yorkshire.”

But Tees Valley metro mayor Conservative Ben Houchen said Darlington was a better option than the metropolitan cities to its north and south.

He said: “For over a year I’ve worked on a plan to secure these jobs for local people and in every conversation with Downing

Street and the Treasury I’ve made it clear the only location that will achieve the Government’s objectives is Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“The whole point of moving senior civil servants out of the capital is to dramatically change their outlook and better inform policy, something that cannot and will not happen if they move to another metropolitan city such as Leeds or Newcastle.”

The move is part of the Government’s levelling up agenda and will initially see 750 civil service jobs moved from the capital to the North.

The Government has said it will move 22,000 jobs out of London by the end of the decade.

This is a massive opportunity for the region. Tracy Brabin, Labour’s candidate to be West Yorkshire mayor.