It has emerged that York could become a possible second centre of government as part of plans to move thousands of Whitehall staff out of London.
Currently York has one of the largest brown field site development opportunities in Europe. York Central, the 84 acre site sits adjacent to York rail station, one of the best connected in the country situated on the East Coast Main Line, York provides a real opportunity for the relocation of jobs. DEFRA is already located, in part, in York and has benefitted from this move.
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central said “This is a very exciting opportunity for the City. With the high educational standards in York’s schools, colleges and universities, the social and physical heritage of the city it represents an attractive place to live.
However, I believe that a Government department moving to York brings an even greater benefit to our city. York is forecast to be the second worst hit place in the country as a result of the post-pandemic economic landscape, with unemployment mapped to rise as high as 18% of the working population. York’s economy has not thrived in recent years, and yet the possibility of developing high skilled jobs in the city will realise its potential.
There needs to be an economic change to create high-quality jobs, which the city has been bereft of for so long. The pandemic has demonstrated our need for more diversification in jobs that give more security; good public sector jobs would do that”
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