The Chancellor announced in Budget 2006 that over 7,800 posts have now been relocated out of London and the south-east. Over 1,600 posts have already been relocated to the north-west. The Government are on course to meet the target to relocate 20,000 civil service posts out of London and the south-east by 2010. Individual Departments are responsible for deciding on sites for relocation, but they must do so taking into account both their business needs and local economic factors, as set out in central guidance, "Choosing Locations for Government Business".
Des Browne