Wolverhampton site named first ministerial base outside London

At least 150 jobs will be based in the i9 building as soon as possible, the government said

A government headquarters is set to move out of London.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) base will see at least 150 jobs based in the i9 building in Wolverhampton city centre.

The government said it would be the first of its kind outside of the capital, with it incorporating an office for ministers to work out of.

MHCLG will take over two floors of the building and the headquarters is expected to open in the summer.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick, who was born in Wolverhampton, said it was a "vote of confidence" in the city and added he was looking forward to working out of the office himself.

The government had previously said the move would create at least 500 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government jobs by 2025.

The move was a "huge vote of confidence" for the city, the council leader said

"This department is leading the effort to level up every corner of the country, so it is absolutely right that we bring decision-making to the heart of the communities we serve," Mr Jenrick said.

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Councillor Ian Brookfield, the leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said Wolverhampton was "the ideal location in the heart of the country, with enviable connectivity to the rest of the West Midlands and beyond".