MINISTERS were told by unions to do the right thing by civil servants today as the government revealed plans to move thousands of jobs out of London.

Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said “a substantial number of roles” are to be relocated to the regions, with major Westminster and Whitehall buildings facing closure.

Twelve thousand jobs could be affected by what Labour terms a plan to “radically reform the state” and save nearly £100 million.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “If these government proposals are to be successful it’s important they do the right thing by workers currently based in London.

“PCS believes the Civil Service has a vital role to play in rebuilding the nation. We consider there should be improved access for workers to higher grade roles in the Civil Service across regions and nations. 

“This will allow those workers to develop their careers without having to uproot from their families and communities; and it will assist economic regeneration in areas that need it.”

She added that there must guarantees for workers based in London of no compulsory redundancies or relocations and access to more flexible working arrangements.

“PCS will be pressing the government to ensure those guarantees are forthcoming, and for a properly agreed transformation programme on a realistic timescale,” she said.

Prospect union general secretary Mike Clancy welcomed the plans to “increase and empower” civil servants based outside London.

But he warned: “We have been here before with similar announcements — if this one is to be different, government needs to work closely with unions both on specific relocation plans and on the wider Civil Service reform agenda.”

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, also welcomed the proposals, but added: “There will be uncertainty for the thousands of civil servants affected by the office closures announced today.

“We need to hear quickly from the departments affected how this will be managed, not least how they will be affected by the office closures, relocation of roles out of London and reduction in headcount all happening at the same time.”

Mr McFadden claimed that the government was “taking more decision-making out of Whitehall and moving it closer to communities all across the UK” under the proposals, which will see two new “campuses” created, one in Manchester focused on digital innovation and another in Aberdeen on energy.

Other roles will be created across the regions with the changes expected to bring £729 million to local economies by 2030, with half of senior posts based outside London.