The drive for efficiency in national government has given an increased impetus to Civil Service relocation away from London and the South East. This provides opportunities for regional development similar to those in business support operations in the private sector. In assessing such opportunities, the paper looks at the economic benefits and costs of public sector relocation. The history of Civil Service relocation and the motivating factors are examined. Regional development agencies cannot offer the same inducements as do private services, but they have broadened their activities in order to attract mobile public-sector employment.
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