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Government offices 'waste £325m' Government offices 'waste £325m'
(1 day later)
More than £325m a year is being wasted by government departments through inefficient use of office space, MPs have said.More than £325m a year is being wasted by government departments through inefficient use of office space, MPs have said.
The Commons public accounts committee recommended more civil servants should be relocated from London to cut costs.The Commons public accounts committee recommended more civil servants should be relocated from London to cut costs.
It said the Treasury was spending the most on employees' workspace and urged it to "set a better example".It said the Treasury was spending the most on employees' workspace and urged it to "set a better example".
The Treasury said occupancy of its main building had increased since the figures were compiled.The Treasury said occupancy of its main building had increased since the figures were compiled.
In its report, the committee found the public sector - not including the military - spent around £6bn running offices for 188,000 staff in 2005.In its report, the committee found the public sector - not including the military - spent around £6bn running offices for 188,000 staff in 2005.
'Less efficient''Less efficient'
Central government accounted for about £1bn.Central government accounted for about £1bn.
The public sector overall was between 14% and 50% less efficient than the private sector at doing the job, the committee said.The public sector overall was between 14% and 50% less efficient than the private sector at doing the job, the committee said.
Costs varied, with each employee's work space at the Treasury costing £12,000 a year, compared with just over £2,500 at the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Costs varied, with each employee's workspace at the Treasury costing £12,000 a year, compared with just over £2,500 at the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Costs per square metre ranged from £123 to £636 and the amount of space allocated to each employee varied from 13.3 to 21.9 square metres, against a target of just 12. The assumption that staff have to be in London should always be challenged Edward Leigh MP More than a quarter of central government office staff - some 47,000 employees - continue to be located in the capital, said the report.Costs per square metre ranged from £123 to £636 and the amount of space allocated to each employee varied from 13.3 to 21.9 square metres, against a target of just 12. The assumption that staff have to be in London should always be challenged Edward Leigh MP More than a quarter of central government office staff - some 47,000 employees - continue to be located in the capital, said the report.
The committee's chairman, Conservative MP Edward Leigh, said: "Government departments are under pressure to increase the value for money of their office property by reducing accommodation costs and improving the efficiency with which they use their space.The committee's chairman, Conservative MP Edward Leigh, said: "Government departments are under pressure to increase the value for money of their office property by reducing accommodation costs and improving the efficiency with which they use their space.
"There is big room for improvement, given the markedly poor performance of government buildings in these respects compared with the private sector, with a potential #326 million to be saved each year." "There is big room for improvement, given the markedly poor performance of government buildings in these respects compared with the private sector, with a potential £326m to be saved each year."
'Assumption''Assumption'
He added: "The relocation of staff to cheaper areas outside London, while it can give rise to costs, can save money. The assumption that staff have to be in London should always be challenged."He added: "The relocation of staff to cheaper areas outside London, while it can give rise to costs, can save money. The assumption that staff have to be in London should always be challenged."
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said separate research by the Conservatives indicated there was 500,000 square metres of empty space across the buildings of Whitehall - twice the amount two years ago.Shadow Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said separate research by the Conservatives indicated there was 500,000 square metres of empty space across the buildings of Whitehall - twice the amount two years ago.
Mr Maude said it was "yet another sign of how taxpayers' money isn't going to frontline public services, but is wasted".Mr Maude said it was "yet another sign of how taxpayers' money isn't going to frontline public services, but is wasted".
A Treasury spokesman said: "Increased occupancy of the Treasury building has occurred since the report was compiled following OGC's (Office of Government Commerce) re-location into 1 Horseguards Road.A Treasury spokesman said: "Increased occupancy of the Treasury building has occurred since the report was compiled following OGC's (Office of Government Commerce) re-location into 1 Horseguards Road.
"The Treasury building can never be as efficient as modern office space due to its listed status and the structural constraints inherent in it.""The Treasury building can never be as efficient as modern office space due to its listed status and the structural constraints inherent in it."