Construction has begun on the new government base in Peterborough, the Cabinet Office has announced, hailing it as milestone in the government’s plans to move civil servants outside of London.
The new Fletton Quays hub, which is expected to be a base for 1,000 civil servants from 2022, will house officials from HM Passport Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The site's £120m redevelopment is part of the second phase of the government's hubs programme. The first round focused on HMRC moving staff from 170 current offices into 13 city-centre hubs.
The 2018 Government Estates Strategy set out plans for "around 20” hubs, with Peterborough named alongside a second Birmingham base as the first of the second phase. The programme aims to reduce the office buildings in which central government operates from 800 to around 200 to save an estimated £2.5bn in running costs over 20 years, as well as providing modern offices and greater flexible working for officials.
Cabinet Office minister Julia Lopez said that the new development “is a great example of the government’s commitment to Peterborough and will provide a real boost to the area”.
She added: “Developments like these and others across the whole of the UK are a key part of our work to spread jobs, growth and prosperity.
“I look forward to seeing the progress the government hubs programme makes and I know this development will create a wonderful new facility for Peterborough and the people who work here.”