PLANS to build an economic campus in the North, in a bid to decentralise, could see 22,000 civil servants relocate.

The move was announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, the Richmond MP, in his first budget.

Speaking at an event on how the budget affects the North on Friday, March 13, at Blackwell Grange Hotel in Darlington, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the Chancellor has been "talking about this for a long time".

He said: "The reason he wants to do it is to get the people that work in government out of London.

"When you are from the south and have worked in London your whole life, it gives you a slant on what the world looks like."

Mr Houchen was joined by Darlington MP Peter Gibson, they agreed the campus cannot go to a "large metropolitan city" like Manchester, because it is not reflective.

"There are some nice empty offices in Middlesbrough," Mr Houchen added. "Teeside could be a powerful message in politics and policy. With Rishi being next door [Richmond], he’s acutely aware."

Could it be in Darlington, an audience member asked.

“Let’s hope so," Mr Gibson said. "I can think of no better place."