In this month’s Budget, the chancellor committed to open a new ‘Treasury North’ campus in Darlington. This was heralded as a signal Government is delivering on its levelling up agenda. As the narrative goes, the move will bring new opportunities to parts of England ‘left behind’ for too long through a radical shift of power away from London. Except this is not what is happening.

There are benefits in the creation of an economic campus. After years of focus on cities, it will be a northern town at the core of a key economic announcement. ‘Treasury North’ could also have a positive impact on the local economy and pull in new jobs locally. Moving part of the Treasury ‘up north’ could help diversify policy-making, turning it less London-centric by bringing in views from other parts from the country.