Darlington Economic Campus

Darlington Economic Campus
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak working at the DEC in 2022
Agency overview
Formed2021
JurisdictionUK Government
Headquarters
Websitewww.gov.uk/government/publications/darlington-economic-campus-dec

The Darlington Economic Campus (DEC), dubbed Number 11 North and Treasury North, is a multi-department government hub in Darlington in the North East of England.

History

Darlington was announced as the site of the "Treasury North" by then-chancellor Rishi Sunak in the March 2021 Budget. It was reported that other sites considered were thought to have included Bradford, Leeds and Newcastle.

The Darlington Economic Campus began operating at Feethams House, Darlington, in 2021. By June 2023, around 1300 staff were employed at the DEC (700 from the Department for Education, which has a long-standing presence in Darlington, and 600 from other departments), with a fifth of all HM Treasury staff, including the second permanent secretary, being based there in 2026.

Construction of purpose-built offices for DEC on Brunswick Street, Darlington, began in January 2026 with a ceremonial ground-breaking by then-chancellor Rachel Reeves. These are expected to open in the first quarter of 2028.

Departments

The following UK government departments have a presence at the DEC:

DEC has formed links with universities in north-east England. These include collaboration between the Competition and Markets Authority microeconomics unit and the DREAM research centre in Durham University's department of economics, collaboration between the Office for National Statistics and Durham University, policy challenges run for students at Northumbria University and Teesside University by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and a co-created participatory art exhibition with Teesside University. DEC has also worked with Durham University Business School on questions such as how local context is important for achieving national policy objectives and growing the evidence base underpinning place‑based economic analysis.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Alex O'Leary (30 July 2026). "Chancellor brands Darlington Treasury 'No 11 North' and doubles down on devolution". The Northern Echo.
  2. 1 2 "Budget 2021: Darlington 'Treasury North' move welcomed". BBC News. 3 March 2021.
  3. ↑ Jordan Urban; Thomas Pope; Alex Thomas (9 June 2023). Lessons from the Darlington Economic Campus for civil service relocation (Report). Institute for Government. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Esther Addley (19 July 2026). "Here be dragons: does moving power to the north work?". The Guardian.
  5. ↑ Megan Traviss (17 August 2026). "Darlington Economic Campus project reaches important construction milestone". PBC Today.
  6. ↑ "Darlington Economic Campus (DEC)". GOV.UK. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  7. ↑ Mike Hughes (14 August 2023). "Key Darlington partnership between Durham University and UK Government". The Northern Echo.
  8. ↑ "Office for National Statistics partnership boosts data careers and research". Durham University. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "Northumbria students gain policymaking experience through Civil Service challenge". Northumbria University. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Civil Service challenge gives students insight into policy-making". Teesside University. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "Reimagining regional policy through creative engagement". Teesside University. 12 February 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "Darlington Economic Campus: research insight informing public decision-making". Durham University Business School. Retrieved 21 August 2026.