Government must develop long-term strategy for future of its estate

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee have released a new report Where civil servants work: planning for the future of the Government’s estate.

Prospect Deputy General Secretary Garry Graham said: “This report highlights a policy underpinned by assertion and anecdote and Prospect welcomes the demand for greater rigour and evidence to demonstrate what benefits arise out of moving Civil Service work out of London and how that contributes to the Places for Growth and Levelling Up agenda as well as enhanced policy development and delivery.

“It is reflective of a broader failure by the Government to develop a strategy for recruiting, retaining and properly rewarding the highly skilled public servants we need, wherever they work, to deliver solutions to the challenges the country is facing.

“The Government must stop chasing headlines by announcing arbitrary figures for headcount reductions and relocations, and instead develop a long-term strategy that has the confidence of staff and local communities.”