The government has launched a strategy to save around £3.6bn over the next two decades by reducing its property estate.
As part of the strategy, launched today, 12 July, the government plans to move thousands of public sector jobs outside London by 2030. This will reduce Whitehall office buildings from more than 65 to 20 over the same time period, as well as establish a network of around 20 multi-agency government hubs across the UK.
In addition, the government aims to reduce the total number of its office buildings from 800 to less than 200 by 2030.
Whitehall had previously set out plans in 2014 to raise £5bn by 2020. So far, it has raised only £2bn since then by selling more than a thousand buildings.
However, the government has reduced vacant space across its estate by 73% since 2014 by modernising its offices. Vacancy rates are now 1.5%.
In addition, the government continues to work towards releasing land for 25,000 homes by 2020, as announced last year. This is being delivered by the One Public Estate programme, delivered in partnership with the Local Government Association.
Oliver Dowden, minister for implementation, said: “This strategy will drive economic growth and opportunity by moving more of government out of Westminster, creating tens of thousands of jobs.
“By releasing more surplus land to build homes, and delivering public services that are closer and more accessible to the communities which they serve, I am confident we will provide benefits and opportunities that work for everyone.”
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