Chancellor John Healey visits Darlington Economic Campus

The former defence secretary spent time at the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) today (July 30) in his first trip to the site since being appointed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

It comes just days after the Treasury said the Chancellor was “strongly committed” to the site - and had plans to visit very soon.

It means Mr Healey has almost matched the amount of days his predecessor Rachel Reeves spent at the DEC last year, which the Echo revealed to be just two.

This week, calls have also been made for the new Chancellor, alongside the Labour leader, to "buy into" the DEC after launching Number 10 North in Manchester. 

Chancellor John Healey visits the Darlington Economic Campus (Image: Kirsty O'Connor / Treasury)

Councillor Steve Harker, leader of Darlington Borough Council, was one of several people to ask the Chancellor to back the campus, encouraging Mr Healey to work in the town "every chance he gets". 

The Treasury recently said it is “only right” that policy makers are based in the North East and that its success “underlines the commitment to bring decision-making closer to communities”.   

The Northern Echo also recently called on the PM to commit to six key priorities in our manifesto for the north, one of which is regional devolution. 

Chancellor John Healey visits the Darlington Economic Campus (Image: Kirsty O'Connor / Treasury)

The DEC, which was launched by the Conservative Party in 2021, is currently based at Feethams House and Bishopsgate House. 

The Labour Government continued the project after its landslide victory over the Conservatives in 2024, but the party's commitment to the site came under fire over Ms Reeves' attendance record.

The DEC is currently home to about 1,925 civil service roles across ten major government departments, including the Treasury, the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and others. 

Chancellor John Healey visits the Darlington Economic Campus (Image: Kirsty O'Connor / Treasury)

Work is also now well underway on the Government’s new five-storey Brunswick Street office on the former car park next to the Darlington East End Club. 

Once open, it will become the permanent home of the DEC and house more than 1,600 civil servants from across a range of Government departments

The structure has recently taken shape in the Darlington skyline, with foundations complete, more than 305 piles installed, and structural steel frames now being erected. 

The building is expected to be open in the first quarter of 2028.