The Home Secretary visited the Home Office hub in Stoke-on-Trent today.
The Home Office is utilising the new full fibre gigabit broadband network and 5G technology to open a new Immigration Caseworking Innovation Centre in the heart of the Potteries.
The new office space in the heart of the city at Two Smithfield in Hanley has been created thanks to £7 million of Government funding and support through Stoke-on-Trent’s £56 million allocation through the Levelling Up Fund. The Levelling Up Fund aims to create opportunities and drive growth in every region of the UK.
The Hub will play an important role in the government’s plans to reduce numbers being housed in costly hotels and cut the burden of the asylum system on taxpayers.
The Home Office has partnered with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to ensure the new investment has a long-lasting impact on the local community, with local students and job seekers being actively encouraged to apply for the new jobs.
Commenting, Jonathan Gullis MP said: “I was delighted to host the Home Secretary in the Potteries today to show him the new Home Office hub at Two Smithfield.”
“We have delivered hundreds of high-quality jobs for people in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, and I am excited about what the future will bring.”
Commenting, Home Secretary, The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, said: “It was fantastic to visit Stoke-on-Trent's Home Office hub with local MPs Jonathan Gullis Jo Gideon and Civil Servants.”
“In the very heart of the Potteries, we have delivered over 500 high-quality local jobs which will help drive growth and opportunity across the UK.”
“The hub is helping the Department to deliver on some of the biggest challenges facing the UK, including clearing the asylum backlog and tackling crime.”