BBC’s Salford move offers lessons for UK government relocation plans
6 reported
A Guardian article examines whether moving government power to northern England can succeed, drawing on the BBC's relocation to Salford as a case study. The BBC first announced its "Out of London" plan in 2004 under then director general Mark Thompson, facing scorn from staff who believed senior figures and star talent would never leave the capital. Fifteen years after the move began in earnest, MediaCity in Salford docks now hosts 3,500 BBC staff and 250 other creative and tech businesses. New Prime Minister Andy Burnham, formerly Manchester's mayor, has said he wants to move part of his executive office to Manchester to create "No 10 North." The article notes that Channel 4 is headquartered in Leeds, HMRC's largest hub is in Newcastle, and the ONS moved its head office to Newport in 2007. However, only 21% of the civil service is based in London, while two-thirds of senior roles remain there, according to Hannah Keenan of the Institute for Government. The ONS shift to Wales saw 90% of staff resign rather than relocate, leading to a loss of institutional expertise.
What’s reported
The BBC announced its "Out of London" plan in 2004 under director general Mark Thompson.
MediaCity in Salford now hosts 3,500 BBC staff and 250 other creative and tech businesses.
New PM Andy Burnham wants to move part of his executive office to Manchester to create "No 10 North."
Channel 4 is headquartered in Leeds; HMRC's largest hub is in Newcastle; ONS moved to Newport in 2007.
Only 21% of the civil service is based in London, but two-thirds of senior roles are in London.
The ONS move to Wales saw 90% of staff resign rather than relocate, causing a loss of expertise.
Key figures
Mark Thompson, former BBC director general
Chris Hollins, former BBC Breakfast presenter and Strictly Come Dancing winner
Jeremy Clarkson, former Top Gear presenter
Andy Burnham, new UK prime minister and former Manchester mayor
Alice Webb, former chief operating officer overseeing BBC's Salford move, later director of BBC North, now CEO of MediaCity
Rachel Reeves, chancellor of the exchequer
Rishi Sunak, former chancellor
Beth Russell, second permanent secretary at the Treasury
Hannah Keenan, associate director of the Institute for Government
Anthony Breach, director of research at the Centre for Cities
Sources: The Guardian
