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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Downsizing: government estate shrinks 10% | Downsizing: government estate shrinks 10% |
| (4 months later) | |
| The government has been criticised in the past for its inefficient use of the buildings it owns. From the plans for small businesses to take over the disused premises to suggestions that they be turned over for community use, there has been pressure from a number of quarters that the government could save space and money. | The government has been criticised in the past for its inefficient use of the buildings it owns. From the plans for small businesses to take over the disused premises to suggestions that they be turned over for community use, there has been pressure from a number of quarters that the government could save space and money. |
| It appears that they've responded to that pressure. Data released by the Cabinet Office today shows that the government's estate has shrunk 10% from 10.3m square metres in 2011 to 9.2m square metres in January of this year. | It appears that they've responded to that pressure. Data released by the Cabinet Office today shows that the government's estate has shrunk 10% from 10.3m square metres in 2011 to 9.2m square metres in January of this year. |
| The data unfortunately does not include information on who these properties were sold to (or, if they weren't owned, who they are no longer being rented or leased from) what they are now being used for or the amount of money spent/saved per building. | The data unfortunately does not include information on who these properties were sold to (or, if they weren't owned, who they are no longer being rented or leased from) what they are now being used for or the amount of money spent/saved per building. |
| It does however show that, taken together, 190 government buildings split between 31 different departments or organisations shrunk by 1,081,535 square metres between 2011 and 2013. | It does however show that, taken together, 190 government buildings split between 31 different departments or organisations shrunk by 1,081,535 square metres between 2011 and 2013. |
| That does not mean that every government building shrunk. In fact, 39 of those included in the data actually increased in size and 31 didn't change at all. | That does not mean that every government building shrunk. In fact, 39 of those included in the data actually increased in size and 31 didn't change at all. |
| The biggest changes were: | The biggest changes were: |
| HM Revenue and Customs shaved off a whopping 205,000 square metres from its estate - cutting it down to a mere 1.1 million square metres The next biggest shrinkage was for the Ministry of Justice's National Offender Management Service (NOMS) which lost 117,000 square metres Her Majesty's Court Service by contrast witnessed the largest growth (42,000 square metres) closely followed by the British Transport Police Authority who acquired new premises 41,000 square metres in size | HM Revenue and Customs shaved off a whopping 205,000 square metres from its estate - cutting it down to a mere 1.1 million square metres The next biggest shrinkage was for the Ministry of Justice's National Offender Management Service (NOMS) which lost 117,000 square metres Her Majesty's Court Service by contrast witnessed the largest growth (42,000 square metres) closely followed by the British Transport Police Authority who acquired new premises 41,000 square metres in size |
| The State of the Estate report also looked at other features of the government estate. It found that 764 buildings were constructed after 1990 out of the 2,719 government building that had their age profiled. 182 of those buildings date back to pre-1900. | The State of the Estate report also looked at other features of the government estate. It found that 764 buildings were constructed after 1990 out of the 2,719 government building that had their age profiled. 182 of those buildings date back to pre-1900. |
| The report also looks at how sustainable the various government buildings are and finds that most are performing well in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water and waste. And just like responsible homebuyers, the report looks at the energy performance of new government acquisitions. Topping the list are the new Ministry of Justice buildings in Caernarfon and Llandrindod Wells. | The report also looks at how sustainable the various government buildings are and finds that most are performing well in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water and waste. And just like responsible homebuyers, the report looks at the energy performance of new government acquisitions. Topping the list are the new Ministry of Justice buildings in Caernarfon and Llandrindod Wells. |
| The largest vacant public buildings were to be found in the North West and the South West where 41,00 and 40,000 square metres respectively were not in use. | The largest vacant public buildings were to be found in the North West and the South West where 41,00 and 40,000 square metres respectively were not in use. |
| Though there isn't a breakdown per building, the report does show which government departments and organisations have the largest annual running costs. At £604m per year, it's perhaps unsurprising that the department dealing with prisons tops the bill - the Ministry of Justice. | Though there isn't a breakdown per building, the report does show which government departments and organisations have the largest annual running costs. At £604m per year, it's perhaps unsurprising that the department dealing with prisons tops the bill - the Ministry of Justice. |
| Speaking about the changes, Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office said: | Speaking about the changes, Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office said: |
| We are pushing forward our ambitious programme to sell property we no longer use and get out of expensive rentals. | We are pushing forward our ambitious programme to sell property we no longer use and get out of expensive rentals. |
| Since the last general election we have saved the taxpayer over a £1 billion and made space available in desirable central locations for redevelopment. This is not only about changing the way we work but generating an economic boost. | Since the last general election we have saved the taxpayer over a £1 billion and made space available in desirable central locations for redevelopment. This is not only about changing the way we work but generating an economic boost. |
| The changes over the past two years are part of the Government Property Unit strategy, the next stage of which concentrates on putting the existing space to better use. | The changes over the past two years are part of the Government Property Unit strategy, the next stage of which concentrates on putting the existing space to better use. |
| What do you think about these changes? Do they reflect a sensible rationalisation of otherwise inefficient resources? Or is downsizing an inevitable consequence of public sector job cuts? Share your views via Twitter @MonaChalabi or @GuardianData or by posting a comment below. | What do you think about these changes? Do they reflect a sensible rationalisation of otherwise inefficient resources? Or is downsizing an inevitable consequence of public sector job cuts? Share your views via Twitter @MonaChalabi or @GuardianData or by posting a comment below. |
| Download the data | Download the data |
| • DATA: download the full spreadsheet | • DATA: download the full spreadsheet |
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