Manchester could be home to 5,000 civil servants by 2014 under plans being examined in a new feasibility study.

The plan to build a new civil service “campus” near the city’s Piccadilly station was launched today by north-west regional minister Beverly Hughes, and Manchester city council leader Sir Richard Leese.

The study forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to move 24,000 jobs out of London, with Beverly Hughes describing the proposal as an opportunity to establish a “hub for Whitehall for the region”.

Large numbers of civil servants – from the Government Office for the North West, the Highways Agency and the Training and Development Agency - are already due to move into a redeveloped site in the city next year, called Piccadilly Gate.

“This is potentially very significant news for Manchester and for the North West,” Hughes said. "The government is committed to moving civil service jobs away from London and the development of the site alongside Piccadilly Station presents a real opportunity for the city to seize the initiative.”

Sir Richard said the city council was delighted with the news as it could bring thousands of jobs at a critical time for the local economy. “Manchester city council and its partners will play a full and constructive role in working with government to ensure this initiative is bought to fruition as quickly as possible,” he said.