The Government lacks key details on its sprawling work spaces – and the repairs they need, writes David ConnettDavid ConnettThe Government does not know the location of all the buildings in its £158bn property empire around the UK. Somedo not even know how many staff they have nor where they are working post-pandemic, according to a National Audit Office report. Officials also lack detailed knowledge about which buildings are in dire need of repair.
Central government owns property from hospitals to schools, courts and prisons to museums. The portfolio is estimated to be worth £158bn – one of the state’s largest assets – with running costs put at £22bn annually. The NAO inquiry found that delays in a Cabinet Office project to create a comprehensive database of all buildings and land has hampered efforts to better understand the scale of challenge. Officials putting together a “State of the Estate” report are having to do it manually.
Officials estimate that the Government will reap £903m of benefits from the relocations by 2037, but the NAO says there is a risk that not all the benefits will materialise, with some departments failing to agree transfer dates for all or some of their properties. The report found “variable” quality of property data across different departments, with some not holding “complete records on the properties they have”.
…and yet the party that has been in charge for 12 years would tell you they are details orientated?! This is negligence and incompetency, whichever of the two candidates gets the top job needs to tackle this alongside another million urgent actions..why do I not feel confident?