Ministry of Housing to open offices in Wolverhampton

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced it is to open a second headquarters in Wolverhampton.

In a move away from Whitehall, housing secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed the new headquarters will have a regular ministerial presence and senior civil servants will also be based there.

Mr Jenrick added at least 500 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Group roles will be based across the West Midlands by 2025 – with further increases planned by 2030.

Further information on the building in Wolverhampton that will house the department in the region will be announced later this year.

‘With a dual headquarters in Wolverhampton my department will not only change where we work but how we work, signalling the end of the Whitehall knows best approach,’ said Mr Jenrick.

‘All of us at the department are looking forward to having the opportunity to work there.

‘This government knows that by having more local voices at the heart of our policy development and delivery, we will support our communities more effectively, and we will continue to develop greater career options in government outside of London.

‘In choosing the city of Wolverhampton we are also backing our great smaller cities, some of which have been neglected for too long. We want to raise their stature, encourage civic pride and commercial success,’ he added.

The leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, Cllr Ian Brookfield has welcomed the news.

‘This is a huge vote of confidence in the City of Wolverhampton and we are delighted to have been chosen to host this historic move away from Whitehall,’ said Cllr Brookfield.

‘The kudos of being the first place outside of Whitehall to host a government department will create a real buzz and interest in our city, attracting further investment which is exactly what we want to be able to ‘relight’ Wolverhampton after the pandemic.’

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