DARLINGTON has emerged as the Government's first choice location for the Treasury’s new Northern base ahead of today's Budget announcement by the Chancellor, The Northern Echo has learnt.

After months of lobbying, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce in today's Budget where the Government’s new ‘Treasury North’ campus will be located, with Darlington one of the final shortlisted locations.

The Northern Echo:

The Echo understands Darlington is now the front runner for the new site, which will see 750 civil servants relocate from London in the coming months. Senior cabinet members including Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and International Trade Secretary Liz Truss are said to be amongst those pushing for the relocation to Darlington.

Mr Sunak will choose between Darlington, Newcastle, Leeds and Bradford as the winning town or city, a move which is expected to be one of his key levelling up policies in today's Budget.

READ MORE: Where could the Treasury be based in Darlington? Four possible locations

Plans to bring Treasury North to the region have previously received cross party support from MPs, council leaders and other politicians. Hundreds of businesses and dozens of Northern MPs urging the Chancellor to bring the jobs to the Tees Valley.

The Northern Echo:

Writing in The Northern Echo yesterday, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "Some in Whitehall have been scheming for this project to be watered down to a few people relocating from London to another metropolitan centre like Leeds, Manchester, or Newcastle as a token gesture. That simply isn’t good enough.

"What we need is to drag government out of metropolitan Britain to the coal face of cutting-edge industry, showing top officials on a daily basis both the amazing things we have to offer and the challenges we face. This can give Teesside people a seat at the top table of government and bring better, more responsive, decision-making.

"Bringing Treasury North to our area would also bring huge job opportunities. That’s why more than 100 local business leaders, both Teesside and Durham Universities, and political leaders from across the political spectrum, have backed my proposal. Our children can grow up seeing a top government job is within reach and that such a career can be built right here in our area.

"The best way to prevent low incomes and low opportunities from blighting the lives and hopes of adults and children is to do all we can to create new, good quality, well-paid jobs, on an unprecedented scale. Teesside Freeport and Treasury North can deliver the jobs, the investment, and the growth that we need. Our ambition is unlimited, as is the opportunity in front of us."