Save spending, sell property

17 Jul 09
Everywhere one looks at the moment, there are commentators who predict an almighty squeeze on public spending from 2011

Everywhere one looks at the moment, there are commentators who predict an almighty squeeze on public spending from 2011.

The majority of the calls for spending cuts focus on annual pressures, with most expecting zero increases other than for health and possibly education. What is receiving less coverage (not necessarily the same as less focus in Whitehall and elsewhere) is the scope for further capital realisations from the disposal of public sector real estate (see Angus Mylles article ‘Feeling the Heat’, June 26–July 2).

While it is clearly the case that values might be rather less than in the heady days of 2008, government departments still have substantial land and property holdings. Perhaps more debate about the continued need for such holdings should be encouraged, and a concerted effort to understand the possible scope of the Operational Efficiency Programme to a wider audience might be useful.

Chris Savory
Director, CHJS Services,
London SW11

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