South Yorkshire welcomes creation of new Civil Service policy hub in Sheffield

Sheffield Town Hall

South Yorkshire’s Mayor and the Leader of Sheffield City Council have welcomed the announcement of the new Sheffield Policy Campus.

The plan to create a major policy campus in Sheffield forms part of the wider work by the Civil Service to de-centralise policy and decision-making out of Whitehall.

Sheffield is already a leading location for policy making, and Yorkshire is home to one of the largest numbers of Civil Servants outside of London.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “Sheffield has been the hidden home of the Civil Service for years, so today’s announcement is both welcome recognition and a significant opportunity to build on our very real leadership in UK policy making.

“That new Policy Campus will not just offer thought leadership now, but a very real talent pipeline focussed on the policy profession right here in our region. That will mean policy apprenticeships, piloting of a regional Fast Stream programme and high-quality learning across the board.

“This is a huge opportunity to help break down barriers between Whitehall and local and regional government and help us work together for the benefit of everyone across the UK. Step by step, ‘stay near and go far’ is becoming a reality in South Yorkshire.”

Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council said: “Sheffield is the largest centre of policy making outside of London, with more than 1000 people working in policy roles across the Department for Education, Department for Work and Pensions, the Home Office, and other departments. This is good for our city, for South Yorkshire and for the whole country. Policy that is designed by people who understand the challenges we face in our communities is better policy.

“The new Policy Campus is a fantastic opportunity to further develop Sheffield as a leading centre for policy making in the UK.  I look forward to the Civil Service working alongside the council, local business, and communities to make better decisions.

“The Campus is an important opportunity to unlock the skills and talents of our local people who may not have thought about a career in the civil service. We’re a city of innovators, makers and creators and we’re bursting with talent. Fresh ideas and news ways of thinking will help create better lives for the people of Sheffield and beyond.

“By providing a pipeline to a career in policy in Sheffield, the city will retain more talent. Whether it is young people who can kickstart a career through T Levels or an apprenticeship or graduates who want to continue to live and work in Sheffield. Ensuring there are clear routes to senior leadership opportunities in the city means local people will not face pressure to move to London to grow their career. Lifelong opportunities will help Sheffield to become an even stronger hub for the most talented policy makers in the north and become an even better place to live, work and invest.”

The Sheffield Policy Campus is being created in Sheffield with a view to creating a new talent pipeline for the policy profession, including apprenticeships and a regional Civil Service Fast Stream programme. 

A core feature of the plan is strengthening partnerships, both cross Government and between central, regional and local government. The Cabinet Office is working with Sheffield City Council, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Business in the Community, both Sheffield Universities and Sheffield and Barnsley Colleges to develop the plan for the Campus.  

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vision-for-a-sheffield-policy-campus