20 Acknowledged

The new strategy’s emphasis on efficiency is also reflected in the plan to cut the...

Conclusion
The new strategy’s emphasis on efficiency is also reflected in the plan to cut the estate’s annual running costs by £500 million.51 In 2020–2021, the operating cost for central government property was £22 billion.52 We asked the Cabinet Office if it considered government’s current operating cost to property value ratio was at the right level.53 The 44 Qq 98, 101; Government Property Function, Government Property Strategy: 2022–2030, 13. 45 Q 124 46 Q 122 47 Qq 71, 123 48 Q 98. 49 Committee of Public Accounts, Optimising the defence estate, Twentieth Report of Session 2021–22, HC 179, 12 October 2021; Committee of Public Accounts, Sale of public land, One Hundred and Tenth Report of Session 2017–19, HC 2040, 24 July 2019 50 Qq 125, 101. 51 Q 95 52 Qq 1, 95; Cabinet Office, State of the Estate 2020–21, December 2021 53 Q 95 14 Managing central government property Cabinet Officed explained that the operating costs include rent on the 11% of government property that is leasehold. It also includes other significant costs, such as £8 billion spent on facilities management.54
Government Response Summary
The government notes the Committee’s conclusion and refers to savings and efficiencies unlocked by the 2018 Government Estate Strategy and the goals of the recently published Government Property Strategy 2022-2030.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government Acknowledged
6.1 The government notes the Committee’s conclusion. 6.2 The NAO confirmed the overall success of the 2018 Government Estate Strategy in unlocking savings and efficiencies. These included the overall reduction in size of estate since 2010 by 30%, with annual running cost savings of £1.6 billion. The recently published Government Property Strategy 2022-2030 sets out how we will continue to deliver savings and achieve better value for money while transforming the public estate and improving capability, standards and insights across the estate.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 3.4 yrs
Report published 21 Dec 2022