The British government is accelerating steps to redistribute decision-making centers outside the capital London, as part of a project considered one of the most notable administrative changes in recent years. And as details of the new prime minister's office in northern England gradually emerge, the government has begun taking practical measures to support this approach, including offering relocation packages to civil servants willing to move to the new headquarters.

The BBC has learned that civil servants working in government departments in London have received offers including relocation packages, aimed at encouraging them to move to northern England.

This comes alongside the first details emerging about the new prime minister's office, known as 'Number 10 North', which has already begun operations, according to sources close to the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

The BBC reported that the northern branch of Downing Street will be overseen by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Burnham's ally, Louise Haigh.

It is believed that Haigh, who also serves as First Secretary of State, has been tasked with leading a new office for the Prime Minister, which will grant her broad powers to oversee several of the government's most prominent decision-making bodies.

Angela Smith, Leader of the House of Lords, announced these changes, explaining that they will also include the creation of a specialized task force on artificial intelligence. She said the new Prime Minister's office in northern England will be a 'key driver of the British economy'.

According to available information, the temporary location for the new headquarters will be at 'Heron House' in Manchester city centre, the same building that houses offices of the British intelligence agency GCHQ. Specialist police officers have been seen guarding the building.

As for the permanent prime ministerial headquarters in the north, known as 'Number 10 North', it is likely to be part of the new government 'Digital Campus' being built in the Ancoats area of Manchester, with work expected to be completed by 2032.

In a related context, a new report published on Tuesday provides clearer indications of the shape this project may take in the coming period.

The report includes a proposed recruitment plan aimed at attracting new staff from across Greater Manchester and northern England, to support the new headquarters with the necessary skills.

The report indicates the need to hire around 300 employees over a period of 18 months.

It also proposes transferring teams from several central government ministries, including the Treasury, the Cabinet Office, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government—ministries currently headed by ministers from northern England.

BBC sources indicate that central government officials who express a desire to move to Manchester have been informed of the possibility of receiving relocation packages to facilitate their move to new work locations.

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