HUNDREDS more Government officials are to relocate to Darlington after the department responsible for international trade confirmed they would be moving to Treasury North.
The Government's new Northern Economic Campus, which Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed in this month's Budget will be based in Darlington, will already house 750 Treasury officials.
And now the Department for International Trade, the Government department responsible for the UK's global business, including post-Brexit trading agreements, will relocate as many as 500 workers to Darlington.
The Darlington site will be the department's second major base - and first outside London - with smaller trade hubs also being established in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
Last week, The Northern Echo exclusively revealed hundreds of staff from other Government departments, including Business, Local Government and International Trade would be moving to Darlington, taking the number of Whitehall officials. working in Darlington to in excess of 1,500.
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said: “I’m determined to use UK trade policy to benefit every part of the UK. These Trade and Investment Hubs will help this country to an export and jobs-led recovery.
“They will mean we can channel investment into all corners of the country, and that exporters – whether they’re selling Scotch beef, Welsh Lamb or cars made in the North of England – have access to the expertise they need to sell into the fastest growing markets.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This announcement by the International Trade Secretary puts Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool at the centre of UK trade policy like never before.
“While other regions talk about Global Britain we’re getting on and delivering it. As home to the UK’s biggest Freeport having the Government’s trade arm here will bring more investment, more businesses and more jobs.
“We are already seeing the benefits of having the UK’s biggest Freeport with GE Renewable Energy announcing the UK’s first factory to build blades for offshore wind turbines, creating 750 direct jobs and a further 1,500 in the supply chain. We were only able to secure GE because we got a Freeport in the Budget. These are the first of thousands of good-quality, well-paid jobs the Teesside Freeport will deliver.
“Make no mistake, the Department of International Trade is only coming here because we were able to secure the Treasury. At the time Rishi made the announcement in his Budget, I said the relocation of a huge chunk of the Treasury to Darlington wouldn’t be the last announcement of a Government department moving here, and neither will today’s about DIT. It’s not just civil service jobs that are coming here, we’re attracting interest from a host of major financial, law and accountancy firms.”
Peter Gibson MP for Darlington, said: “I am delighted to learn that in addition to a Treasury North Campus Darlington will also be home to a DIT hub which will see more civil servants located in our town, bringing even more job opportunities for local people.
“We are seeing real progress on our levelling up agenda with massive investment in our region. This is more welcome news, and demonstrates how serious Government sees our region as a catalyst for international trade as we build back better post Brexit and post Covid.
“I had been looking forward to taking The Chancellor and Sir Humphrey for a Parmo but it looks like the Secretary of State for International Trade will be joining us too.
“Darlington can be rightly proud of the faith that is being placed in it by Government and the increasing number of private sector organisations choosing to locate here. We have the people, the infrastructure, and the ambition. We are truly going places.”
Cllr Heather Scott, Darlington Council leader, said: “We are absolutely delighted to get another branch of Government coming to Darlington - obviously on the back of the Treasury announcement. This will great fantastic opportunities for local people and that is exactly what we want.”
Last week, the Echo revealed up to 300 Treasury officials will arrive in Darlington within 12 months. They will work at a temporary base at Feethams House before a new permanent site is constructed at Central Park.
Recruitment for a number job vacancies for local people is set to begin within weeks, and a number of major financial, law and accountancy businesses have already begun plans to relocate.
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