More government posts to move into Wolverhampton's i9 building

The department, which until last week was headed by Angela Rayner, had a base in the i9 building close to Wolverhampton bus station. 

In May this Mrs Rayner came under fire from the city's Conservative group after it emerged she had never visited the officer, in Railway Drive, since taking office the previous July.

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However, this week the council's cabinet revealed that an agreement had been struck to move the Local Government Pension Scheme Central office from i9 to the neighbouring i10 building, creating space for the ministry to expand.

Conservative group leader, Councillor Simon Bennett, who had led criticism of Mrs Rayner for her non-attendance, welcomed the news.

"This is something which had been called on by Conservatives for months, and was one of the only things she did in power which was welcome.

"The group repeatedly called on her to show leadership and make proper use of the office, and calling on her publicly in meetings urging her to bring more of her department’s staff into the city to support jobs, growth, and confidence in Wolverhampton’s economy.

“Angela Rayner’s departure only underlines what has been clear for some time – she treated her office in Wolverhampton as nothing more than an after thought.

"The people of this city deserved better. That is why I am pleased to see progress finally being made with the expansion of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at i9, something we have long called for and was the subject of statements I've made to council at meetings some time ago.

"This step will help secure jobs, bring more investment into the city, show that Wolverhampton has an important role to play in the work of Government."