Recommendation 16

The government does not yet fully understand how offices are being used post- pandemic. From the data available, GPA has calculated the usage of offices is down at least 25%.41 It explained that it is rolling out new methods of measuring usage based on Wi-Fi and swipe card data, but it will take time to implement these methods across the whole estate.42 If hybrid-working continues as it has, it is possible that fewer hubs will be required. The GPA told us that it will ensure that existing space is used before additional hubs are built. The GPA also said that future hubs can be smaller than originally planned, or cancelled altogether, if the space is no longer required.43 36 Letter from Cabinet Office to Committee dated 2 November 2022 37 Committee of Public Accounts, HMRC’s Performance in 2016–17, Twelfth Report of Session 2017–19, HC 456, 10 January 2017. 38 Qq 63 39 Qq 63, 64, 65 40 Qq 65, 66 41 Q 74, 113 42 Q 105 43 Q 113 Managing central government property 13 3 Government plans to generate savings through its property estate Disposing of property