The opening of a new UK Government hub in Edinburgh has moved a step closer.

Property developers Artisan Real Estate formally hand over the keys of the building to Scottish Secretary David Mundell.

The new Hub, located near Waverley Station, is a seven storey, 190,000 square feet, modern office.

It will bring together nearly 3,000 UK Government civil servants from a range of UK Government departments.

Due to open in Spring 2020, the Hub is intended to improve the work of the UK Government in Scotland, helping them deliver better services for Scottish people.

It will also incorporate a Cabinet Room, allowing the UK Government Cabinet to meet in a purpose built facility for the first time.

READ MORE: Scotland Office to move Edinburgh base

Mr Mundell said: “I am delighted to receive the keys to the new UK Government Hub in Edinburgh.

"The formal handover of the building’s keys is an important milestone, demonstrating we are making real progress towards opening the flagship building in the heart of Edinburgh next year."

Oliver Dowden, UK Government Minister for Implementation, added: "This flagship building for Edinburgh demonstrates our continued commitment to strengthening the Union, providing flexible, modern and connected workspaces which will enhance local career paths, boost jobs and economic growth."

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is delivering the Edinburgh Hub on behalf of the UK Government, and will be based there when the first teams start to move in from April 2020.

Working with the Government Property Agency (GPA), HMRC has been at the cutting edge of delivering UK Government’s Hub strategy and is playing a leading role on delivering this programme for the UK Government, enabling closer working between UK Government departments.

READ MORE: Mark Smith: Nicola Sturgeon, could you please stop talking about “Scottish values”. There is no such thing

Work is also underway on a first Glasgow Hub, with a second one to follow. The Edinburgh and Glasgow Hubs are a key part of the UK Government’s commitment to delivering excellent public services for people in Scotland, building a strong Civil Service outside London and leading the way in regional regeneration.

Across the UK it is estimated that the UK Government Hubs programme will save more than £2 billion of public money over twenty years, relocating civil servants from existing, often fragmented office locations, to modern, cross-departmental workplaces.