The North East’s bid to secure new civil service jobs resulting from a major Whitehall review has taken a significant step forward.
A new website www.movingnortheast.co.uk has just gone live, setting out the North East’s economic package to attract Government departments and agencies relocating from London and the south east as part of the Lyons Review recommendations.
The Government has pledged that 20,000 civil service jobs will be relocated to the regions by 2010.
One NorthEast is leading a regional consortium of public and private sector partners pressing Government hard to secure as many of these jobs as possible for the North East. The regional case being put to Government is unique in the UK.
The website has been developed in conjunction with partner organisations - County Durham Development Company, Northumberland County Council, Tees Valley Regeneration, Tyne and Wear Development Company, Government Office for the North East, the North East Assembly and the Association of North East Councils.
John Holmes, One NorthEast Director of Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The Moving North East website is an important addition to our marketing package for the North East and sends out a clear message that the region is determined to win as many relocated civil service posts as possible.
“During our representations to Government departments and agencies in London and the south east, we have had positive feedback from senior civil servants genuinely interested in the relocation package the North East can offer organisations and their employees.
"The North East has so much to offer relocating departments and their workers with its quality business space, substantially cheaper property rental costs, good transport connections and an unparalleled quality of life for employees.
“The North East has to be at the front of the queue in taking its offer directly to Whitehall which we will continue to do. If we do not seize this opportunity then other regions of the UK will.”
The website is a central contact point for all enquiries on North East England locations.
Its economic and workforce development sections are designed to appeal to decision makers in Government departments and their advisors, while the lifestyle section provides information to public sector employees who will need to decide whether or not to relocate with their department.
The website has a link to a comprehensive list of organisations and attractions in the four sub-regions of Tees Valley, County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, the major conurbations of Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Newcastle and their surrounding communities.
The site aims to provide all the information necessary to make an informed decision and will also complement a range of other materials produced under the ‘Moving North East’ banner, such as an information folder and lifestyle leaflet.
Work will continue to enhance the website, specifically the North East property section with links to estate agents as well as banks, building societies and recruitment agencies.
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For further information please contact:
Gordon Arnott, Senior Press Officer, One NorthEast.
Tel:(0191) 229 6309 Fax:(0191) 229 6234 Mobile: 07713 317883
e-mail: gordon.arnott@onenortheast.co.uk