· Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to strengthen joint-headquarters in East Kilbride with 500 extra staff
· Plans will bring new jobs and investment to Scotland as part of the UK Government’s commitment to level up in every part of the United Kingdom and build back better from the pandemic
Glasgow, East Kilbride and the surrounding areas will benefit from new jobs and investment from the UK Government, with the Cabinet Office and FCDO moving over 1000 civil service roles to Scotland.
The move brings key decision makers closer to the communities they serve and will strengthen diversity in the UK Civil Service. The new jobs and investment form part of the UK Government’s commitment to level up in every part of the United Kingdom and build back stronger, fairer and greener from the pandemic.
Today’s announcement will also mean that ministers will spend a significant amount of time outside of London, as the UK Government and Scottish work in partnership to build a sustainable recovery. This will create new opportunities to join UK efforts in tackling joint domestic and international challenges, and allow closer collaboration between Scotland’s two governments as we work together to build back better from the pandemic.
Underlining the importance of the United Kingdom pulling together as we embark upon a road to recovery, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, has confirmed today that the Cabinet Office will establish a second flagship
The Foreign Secretary has also confirmed today that an additional 500 roles are moving to FCDO’s joint-headquarters in East Kilbride, taking the total number of jobs at its Scottish base to more than 1,500 by 2025. This underlines the immense contribution that the Scottish people make to the UK’s foreign policy and international development work as we tackle global challenges as one United Kingdom.
Graham Simpson, Scottish Conservative candidate for East Kilbride said:
"It's excellent news that the Foreign Office is to move 500 jobs to East Kilbride in the next four years.
"That's a 50 per cent increase and offers fantastic opportunities for careers.
"On top of the 500 jobs also announced by the Cabinet Office for Glasgow it is a tremendous boost not just for EK but the wider region.
"When the Foreign Office took over the former Department for International Development some people were predicting doom.
"I never saw it like that - I saw opportunity and when I wrote to the Prime Minister he told me in June: “We will continue to invest in and support the excellent work taking place in East Kilbride and I look forward to this office becoming an essential part of the new department.”
"He is now delivering on those words.
"As for the SNP, they must be the only people who can be depressed over something so positive. Their carping deserves no comment.
