Second MHCLG headquarters to be in Wolverhampton

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will create a second headquarters in Wolverhampton, as part of the government’s levelling up agenda.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said that at least 500 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Group roles are set to be based across the West Midlands by 2025 – with further increases planned by 2030.

The presence of ministers makes the new HQ in Wolverhampton the first such ministerial office outside of London with a regular ministerial presence. Senior civil servants will also be based in Wolverhampton, ensuring this becomes a centre for policy development and decision making.

The department believes that the ‘historic’ move signals a culture change in civil service to give a stronger voice to communities in our mission to level up opportunity and prosperity across the regions.

Jenrick said: “As Communities Secretary, I am determined to spread opportunity and prosperity to every part of our nation. That is why I am delighted to be taking the historic step of moving significant numbers of senior roles out of Whitehall and creating the first ever ministerial office outside of Westminster in Wolverhampton – increasing the jobs in the Midlands to over 500.

“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. 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.”