Local MP's have welcomed the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman MP, to Stoke-on-Trent to open the new Home Office hub in our city, following the Home Office pledge to create jobs in the city.
The Home Office confirmed the signing of a new lease at Two Smithfield in Stoke-on-Trent in January this year. The new office space totals more than 38,000 sq ft (3,530 sq m) - In total this will see 500+ new skilled Home Office jobs located in Stoke-on-Trent. The first new recruits started at the Smithfield Two building in March, there are now over 200 new staff who have already been recruited and more will continue to be recruited over the next year. This is all part of plans to create a full civil service campus in Stoke-on-Trent with the Home Office being the first part of what is hoped to be a much larger number of skilled well paid Government jobs located in Stoke-on-Trent.
Jack Brereton MP & Jo Gideon MP were pleased to welcome the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Suella Braverman MP, to Stoke-on-Trent to formally open the new offices.
Speaking after the opening, Jack Brereton MP said:
‘It has been a pleasure to welcome the Home Secretary to Stoke-on-Trent today to open the new Home Office hub in our city.
The Home Office pledge to open offices in Stoke-on-Trent was a huge commitment and display of the Government’s focus to level up our city. The creation of more than 500 skilled, well paid jobs, in our city is a huge gain for residents in Stoke-on-Trent, some of which have already started work.
I am very grateful to the Home Secretary for coming to open the new offices in Two Smithfield. There is no doubt that our city is at the forefront of the Government’s mind and these kind of visits are proof of this.’
Jo Gideon MP said:
"The new jobs are not only attracting people who currently live here, but also people who left the area for more senior roles are now coming back. We do have a challenge in Stoke-on-Trent in terms of people's perceptions of the city and with these great opportunities we are shaking off that image.
"The Home Secretary's visit shows how important this building is to the Home Office. She was very impressed with what is on offer in terms of the facilities. Stoke-on-Trent is a great location for quality civil service jobs. It's a small but mighty city, and while we may have missed out in the past Stoke-on-Trent is ready to stand up and be counted."
Home Secretary, Suella Braverman MP said:
‘I’m pleased to be opening this new site in Stoke which will see the creation of 500 high-quality local jobs.
Located in the heart of the city, it will help cut the burden of the asylum system on taxpayers, while also bringing huge benefits to the region.
Through the creation of these jobs, we are showing our continued commitment to driving growth and opportunity across the UK.’
