Now that the severity of the cuts to departmental budgets are beginning to hit home, public bodies have to seriously consider the options available to them for reducing the overall size (and cost) of the civil estate.
A number of measures are currently being mooted that could potentially allow it to halve the space it occupies.
These include reducing the amount of space per head from the current 10 sq m target, outsourcing certain services to providers based at alternative locations, the seemingly inevitable headcount reduction, and implementing flexible working programmes.
However, public …

Make no mistake, the government has put its flag in the ground. It is sending a clear message that things are going to be very different in the public sector from now on.
This week’s eagerly anticipated Emergency Budget delivered a few welcome announcements, as well as the much talked-about cost saving targets.
It is good to see some of the regional infrastructure projects are retaining their priority – the redevelopment of Birmingham New Street Station being a key example – as maintaining capital expenditure on infrastructure will …

With details of how the government will cut spending emerging almost daily, it’s hard to determine which announcements will be most significant.
However, a recent measure designed to slash property costs is certainly up there.
On 24 May, the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) extended its controls on new property leases and lease extensions to cover the entire UK public estate.
It means no government department or agency can renew a lease or choose not to exercise a break clause without Treasury approval.
This seems like a sensible step, as it gives civil servants …