Robert Jenrick: Wolverhampton's new Government HQ is levelling up in action

As our high streets, towns and the economy itself begin to safely re-open, the Government is moving forward too with its central mission – the cornerstone of our 2019 manifesto – levelling up every corner of the country.

I am of course biased when it comes to Wolverhampton – I was born here, went to school, have so many memories of the city - from treading the boards at the Grand Theatre in a production of Joseph, my first teenage nights out at various establishments now sadly long gone, indeed to work experience at the Express & Star offices.

I’m not the only one in Government for whom Wolverhampton means a great deal; the Prime Minister embarked on his first career in journalism at this very publication.

In its remarkable ascendancy from a small market town to industrial city, Wolverhampton has contributed more than its fair share to the UK’s own national story.

At the height of the industrial revolution, Wolverhampton and the Black Country led the way in coal mining, steel production and lock-making. It has naturally evolved with the passage of time.

Some of the changes have been enriching, like its hugely vibrant and diverse modern population. Others more challenging - like many others I view the loss of Beatties and some of the old stores with sadness and nostalgia.

But I also see Wolverhampton once again hold the key to unlocking economic growth and spreading prosperity outside of the nation’s capital to all parts of the country.

That starts with recognising the abundance of talent that exists beyond London and the Westminster bubble, bringing their expertise and voices into Government.

That’s why I am pleased to announce that my government department’s second headquarters will be in Wolverhampton’s i9 in the heart of the city.

With preparations now well underway, the HQ will open in the autumn creating hundreds of new jobs and placing the city at the centre of decision-making that will affect the entire nation.

We have begun recruitment and will be hiring the first 150 civil servants as soon as possible, with many hundreds more to follow I hope.

And a number of my team are already taking the opportunity to have their roles relocated to the second HQ - some returning home to the West Midlands, others embracing it for the first time.

But this isn’t just about moving jobs around. It’s about creating new ones and bringing people with different experiences and viewpoints into the civil service.

This is the best way to ensure that important decisions are informed by the communities we serve. As a teenager I knew I would have to move to London for this kind of role and opportunity.

That is quite clearly wrong and we are correcting it. A young person growing up in Wolverhampton today can aspire to work in government, to advise Ministers and zoom into meetings with the Prime Minister, all from an office located a stones throw from the Express & Star offices.

Recruitment is happening right now across a range of roles and levels from entry grade to senior civil servants and I would encourage anyone who wants to join us in this endeavour to level-up communities the length and breadth of the country to visit our civil service jobs web pages and apply.

Of course, it’s up to ministers to lead by example too and that’s why our second HQ includes an office for me and my ministerial team to use regularly - the first of its kind outside of London.

In our national effort to build back from this pandemic the Government is spreading growth and economic opportunity more evenly so that every corner of the country can realise their full potential.

That is levelling-up in action – ensuring that Wolverhampton and cities like it enjoy a future which is as bright and prosperous as their illustrious pasts.