Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Eighth Report - Where Civil Servants Work: Planning for the future of the Government’s estates
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 793
Published 27 July 2023
Recommendations
8
Deferred
Para 63
Require Cabinet Office to publish clear policies on civil servant office attendance and headcount reductions
Recommendation
In its response to this report the Cabinet Office should write to us with a definitive statement of government policy on the flexibility civil servants should have on how often they work in the office. Within the same period, the …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it will publish relevant programme documentation for Places for Growth and the Plan for London, but does not provide the requested definitive statements on office working flexibility or clear details on headcount reductions and their impact on office space.
9
Deferred
Commission external review of Government Property Agency's value for money for rental charges
Recommendation
The Cabinet Office has provided a plausible explanation for the GPA’s practice of charging departments rent on offices which the Government owns and has no intention of selling. This answer emphasises the value for money which the GPA is able …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated it will publish relevant programme documentation for Places for Growth and the Plan for London, which does not directly address the recommendation to commission an external review of the GPA's value for money.
Conclusions (3)
6
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 54
The rationale for the creation of the Government Property Agency was that by taking over the management of all government office buildings it would lead to co- ordinated decision-making and efficiency savings. But with the departments with the biggest office estates remaining outside the GPA’s control, the Government is potentially …
Government Response Summary
The government committed to publishing 'relevant programme documentation for Places for Growth and the Plan for London,' but did not commit to developing the specific guidance for accounting officers as recommended.
14
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 93
Recruiting staff to regional offices has the potential to open up the civil service as a career to a wider number of people. This can have benefits both for civil servants (enabling them to pursue a career in government without necessarily having to move to London) and for government policy …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged that the issues raised are a difficult area, referencing the Minister's prior evidence session, but did not commit to any specific actions or provide further clarification.
15
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 94
The previous system of Government Offices for the English Regions received some criticism at the time for not sufficiently doing bottom-up policy-making for the regions they were based in. However, there was at least a comprehensive structure in Where Civil Servants Work: Planning for the future of the Government’s estates …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged that the issues raised are a difficult area, referencing the Minister's prior evidence session, but did not commit to any specific actions or provide further clarification.