Treasury’s new Northern campus will be in Darlington in boost for Tory ‘Red Wall’ and Boris Johnson’s ‘levelling up’ agenda
- Rishi Sunak unveiled his coronavirus recovery Budget in House of Commons
- Treasury is set to open its new northern campus in Red Wall seat of Darlington
- Boris Johnson has vowed to push on with his ‘levelling up’ agenda amid Covid
The Treasury is set to open its new economic hub outside London in Darlington, it was confirmed today.
In a video to his department’s civil servants, Rishi Sunak said that after ‘a lot of thought and energy’, the new economic campus would be in the north east market town.
The decision on the Treasury North project – which is set to mean hundreds of jobs relocating – is a victory for Red Wall Tories who have been urging Boris Johnson to follow through on his ‘levelling up’ agenda.
The decision on the Treasury North project – which is set to mean hundreds of jobs relocating – is a victory for Red Wall Tories who have been urging Boris Johnson to follow through on his ‘levelling up’ agenda
Mr Sunak said he was ‘really excited’ about the decision, according to the recording of the message which has been shared on social media.
Civic leaders across the North had made overtures in recent weeks for the Chancellor to send Treasury jobs their way.
Darlington was among the favourite places for the move, with Bradford, Leeds and Newcastle also thought to be under consideration for the plan.
Tees Valley’s Tory elected mayor Ben Houchen said last month that Darlington would be a strong option as it would represent a move away from the metropolitan cities to the north and south of the town.
Mr Sunak’s huge Richmond constituency in North Yorkshire lies south of Darlington, which has strong transport links and voted Tory at the 2019 general election.
Boris Johnson told Cabinet earlier that the Government’s plan for growth will ‘focus on innovation, skills and infrastructure – with the mission being to unleash the potential of our whole country and build back better from the pandemic’.
Rishi Sunak unveiled his coronavirus recovery Budget in the House of Commons today
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