Hundreds of civil service jobs to relocate to Aberdeen

Jobs are coming to the Aberdeen area

Hundreds of civil service jobs are due to be relocated to Aberdeen over the next two years, under plans announced by the UK government.

More than 200 roles, from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will be based at a new headquarters in the city.

The Places for Growth programme aims to relocate 22,000 roles out of London by 2027.

The Scottish government said it welcomed any new jobs announcement.

Exact timescales and a location have not yet been announced.

Darlington, Greater Manchester and Wrexham are also getting new posts.

Minister for the Cabinet Office John Glen MP said: “We’re announcing a new second headquarters for the department of Energy Security and Net Zero.

“They obviously already have a considerable presence in Aberdeen given how central the industry is to the city.

"But we are now going to have this second headquarters where hundreds more will come to work and live in the city.”

'Fantastic news'

Ryan Crighton, policy director at Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC), described it as "fantastic news for the region".

He said: “Aberdeen is home to major North Sea operators, the biggest concentration of energy supply chain companies in the UK and a 45,000-strong offshore energy sector workforce.

"So it makes complete sense for energy civil servants to be located in the north east.”

And Rebecca Allison, chief operations Officer at the Net Zero Technology Centre in Aberdeen, said: “Having a local presence here strengthens that relationship with us and allows us to work closer with both governments but also with civil servants that are now going to be based here.

“It allows us more access to decision makers, it also makes things more efficient and accelerate that transition to net zero."

A Scottish government spokesperson said: "The Scottish government awaits further details on this matter but would welcome any new jobs announcement.

“We are clear that Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland can be the net zero capital of Europe.

"Our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan sets out a clear vision for how we will ensure our energy sector in Aberdeen, and right across Scotland, continues to unlock the enormous economic opportunities our energy transition presents.