IT REMAINS to be seen if the Government’s commitment to move thousands of civil service jobs from London to major regional cities will ever benefit Liverpool on the scale that it should.

However, today’s news that the UK Border Agency is believed to be on the verge of confirming a 200,000 square foot deal to lease several floors of George Downing’s flagship Capital Building is encouraging.

The Agency currently employs around 1,000 staff, based in six locations dotted around the city. They are understandably keen to consolidate under one roof.

The hope is that, once they are happily settled in their new offices, they will look to extend their workforce here.

It is believed to be the biggest letting deal the city has seen in more than 30 years and, if our sources are right, it should be confirmed within a month.

The Agency says it is committed to maintaining and developing its regional presence in Liverpool and the North West, which is very good to hear.

But this does not sound like the kind of development that will bring thousands of new jobs to Liverpool.

It is that kind of announcement that the city really needs to see from the Government, and it is difficult to understand why such a move has not already happened.

Thanks to the economic crisis, this Government faces a debt mountain that will last a generation.

That makes the case for moving out of London to save money compelling.

We all know the advantages in terms of quality of life of living here, but persuading London-based civil servants of the advantages of relocation might prove challenging.

It is a nettle worth grasping, both for the economic health of the Liverpool city region and of the British government.