400 new government jobs coming to Manchester city centre in Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport hub

The Government’s culture department is setting up a new hub in Manchester city centre.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport says it will create around 400 new jobs at the base in Marble Street - making it their biggest base outside the capital.

The new DCMS Manchester HQ will contain the head office for Building Digital UK (BDUK). BDUK is the leading on Project Gigabit, the government’s £5 billion plan to roll out faster broadband to hard-to-reach and rural areas and deliver gigabit-capable connections to 85% of UK homes by 2025.

They are also expanding their presence in other UK cities in an attempt to be less London focused.

What’s been said so far?

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “The days of London-centric decision making belong in the past. It’s an exciting time for DCMS as we expand our regional offices and tap into a more diverse talent pool.

“Our strength comes from our people and this will allow us to recruit the best, wherever they may be, to deliver the wide range of DCMS policies which drive growth and enrich lives all over the UK.”

MIDAS, Greater Manchester’s inward investment agency, helped advise on the relocation.

Coun Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is welcome news. Not only is it a reflection of Manchester’s role as a northern epicentre for culture, media and sport - and our thriving and fast-growing tech sector - it is also move which should help stimulate further innovation and investment in the city and beyond.

“The city is at the heart of a huge and diverse talent pool and tapping into will benefit the Government as well as bringing hundreds of jobs and other opportunities here.

“Government must not be concentrated in the capital and having more decision-makers based in the north should help bring a different perspective. Our door is always open to discuss further such relocations.”