South Lanarkshire Council officials were taken aback last year when the department revealed that approximately 1,000 civil servants would be relocated to Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, by the end of 2025. However, Joe Fagan, leader of the Labour-run council, has since been informed that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) will remain in Abercrombie House in East Kilbride.
There is uncertainty about the timing of the Foreign Office’s move. The 1,760 HMRC civil servants who were expected to relocate to the FCDO building once it was vacated have now been told they will stay in their current Queensway House office until 2031. In contrast, Glasgow City Council has been informed that the move has only been delayed until 2026.
The reasons for the delay are unclear, but the announcement comes just weeks after Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced a series of cost-cutting measures to address a £22 billion deficit in public finances. “If we cannot afford it, we cannot do it,” she told MPs.
Councillor Fagan told The Herald: “Keeping both FCDO and HMRC staff in town longer is positive news for our local economy and the many employees who work and live in East Kilbride. I’m also reassured by the HMRC Chief Executive’s commitment to the town and their intention to use the additional time in Queensway House to evaluate all options in East Kilbride. The council is committed to collaborating with HMRC and other government bodies as they assess their future needs and locations. East Kilbride is a well-established, welcoming home to various civil service departments, and I’m confident we can build on that.”
Susan Aitken, leader of SNP-run Glasgow Council, commented: “Glasgow is increasingly becoming a sought-after location for corporate headquarters. Grade A office space is being occupied as quickly as it’s built. This timing doesn’t align with our discussions with the FCDO, but the city remains fully equipped to meet their needs whenever they decide to make the move.”
An HMRC spokesperson added: “On Wednesday, 14 August, HMRC colleagues in East Kilbride were informed that we will remain in Queensway House longer than initially planned. As announced in January 2022, HMRC is committed to maintaining a long-term presence in East Kilbride. The FCDO requires more time before relocating from Abercrombie House, allowing HMRC to explore all options for our future location in the town and ensure the best value for taxpayers.”
