Civil servant (policy) career change up north?

[PeachP]

Hello,

Now we have a DC, DH and I are considering whether in the long term we could move back up north (York/Leeds/commutable to either) to be nearer family and for a non London lifestyle. We both currently work in central London, in jobs that are fairly London centric, so changing jobs would need some thought.

DH is a civil servant, working in policy.

Does anyone know of alternative careers / similar jobs he could do up north? We've looked on civil service jobs and there are policy jobs for DfT and I think one other dept up in Leeds/York. He thinks moving would mean no further career development for him - he'd be stuck at that level. Is that true? Or are there other options?

Thanks in advance

What grade is he? If progression for him is SCS1/2 then yes, there will be opportunities for him. If he's aiming for DG then he'll probably have to be down in London at least 2 days per week. Surprising that someone wanting to progress in a departmental policy role is so poorly briefed on where central government departments have significant bases, and is unable to conduct research on civilservicejobs 🙄

DLUHC has an office in Leeds.

I don’t think CS Jobs is the way to research this because you’ll only find depts that happen to have vacancies at this time. Unfortunately I have no idea how you find out who has offices where. I think @WineIsMyCarb is being a bit harsh as this information isn’t actually easy to find!

If you're very lucky, by the time you move there, the North might have received electricity.

I have civil service friends who have relocated outside York for family. They’ve got jobs in Darlington Economic Campus looks like it’s taken seriously and lots of opportunities - it’s growing (the rest of the civil service is shrinking) and it has vacancies at all grades. They’re commuting but wfh makes it v doable.

Thank you for the replies, including the sarcy ones!

@QuiteSmallClanger that's good to know, thank you!

@Millicentmargaretamandaholden ahh thank you so much! We didn't know about this - I think I have been searching for Yorkshire so it wouldn't have come up. That's really useful.

@WineIsMyCarb it's probably down to me being more into this than DH so far. Good to know!

@BIWI We're both from up north so aren't completely under a rock, but point taken!

Feeling slightly less stroppy than earlier, and good on you for taking previous comments on the chin. Sorry for the snarky tone.
Leeds has DWP and huge section of DHSC, as well as a big NHS England cohort.
Darlington economic campus has HMT amongst others (theres a website for it), there's a couple of MOD spots round here such as Catterick.

If you bought in Leeds and had to be in London twice a week you could get an early train at be at Victoria Street (for example) in just over 2 hours.

Civil service is actively moving a lot of jobs out of London. We are not allowed to recruit in London at the moment in my department and I know the same is true of many others while they build their northern hubs. There are plenty of jobs at all levels available ooop north at the moment, more than in London (which is annoying for those of us in London who want a new job!)

Your DH should explore what his current department is doing "levelling up" wise as many are offering transfers to northern offices for anyone who wants it.

The Darlington campus is currently recruiting for more high grade posts than the equivalent London offices. It's a relatively easy commute into London if needed.

Most of the roles being advertised are policy roles so Hubby should have some great choices.

You get much much more for your money up here and some of the areas around Darlington are beautiful. Transport links are great and you're less than an hour from the hills of the lakes or the beaches of the coast.

To add to the above, DEFRA, Environment Agency and Cabinet Office all have reasonably sized offices in York.

Firstly you have to get to Leeds station and travel links in to the station are poor for the fast train (2 hours) which is the 7am, then 25 mins from kings cross to Victoria and 10 minutes to get out of tube and walk (minimum) . So at least 3 hours and not in office before 9.30

York is much better for more fast trains or Wakefield for easier travel to station (can park) and a shorter time.

I used to do this commute for 15 years. I still do but not for the early morning start- tend to stay down for longer now.

I believe that there is a tightening up of travel and overnight in many departments? Hotel costs are through the roof and people seem to be staying in hounslow or similar.

I would say that regional civil service is boring and doesn't have the buzz of being in a Westminster department. If he likes the ministerial side of it all then he will be very bored.

DfE is in Darlington, Sheffield and Piccadilly.

Yorkshire water might have something in their regulation or strategy sides of the business that would suit.

Defra, home office, DTF, MOJ, BEIS etc all have policy jobs up north Leeds/York way