More than two thirds of new full-time Civil Service positions in the UK were created in key regional locations. Four in five civil servants are now based outside London.
The Places for Growth programme moves Civil Service roles to regional hubs to support local economic growth. From the programme’s launch through March 2025, 24,621 roles moved outside London, exceeding the 22,000 target three years early.
As of March 2026, 36.6% of UK-based Senior Civil Servants were located outside London. The government is working towards having half of its senior leadership based in the UK’s regions and nations.
Cabinet Office Minister Mark Ferguson said power and decision-making were being shifted to local communities to create a Civil Service that serves the whole UK. He said those making policy must understand how decisions affect the communities concerned.
In August, the Prime Minister announced that Whitehall officials would be posted to mayors’ offices. High-performing civil servants will be seconded to mayoral authorities to build their capacity and accelerate the transfer of power to local areas.
A pilot of the Civil Service Fast Stream was also announced for Yorkshire and Humber. It is intended to help young people build careers without having to move to London.
