08.04.13
DCLG and Home Office to share estate
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is to relocate to the Home Office’s headquarters to cut costs and make use of redundant space.
Approximately 1,200 DCLG staff and 100 arm’s length body staff will leave Eland House and move into 2 Marsham Street. The Home Office has un-used space following a cut in its workforce and the move of the Government Equalities Office to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the closure of the National Police Improvement Agency.
Helen Kilpatrick, director-general of finance and corporate services at the Home Office, said: “As budgets continue to tighten we want to target resources where they are needed most. And we want to set a strong example right at the centre.
“This is not just about saving money. The move provides us with a great opportunity to place the Home Office at the forefront of civil service reform, developing ways of working flexibly and sharing resources and knowledge across departments.”
Minister for local government Brandon Lewis said: “At DCLG we believe in making sure taxpayers get value for money. By sharing services and streamlining our property portfolio this move will allow us to continue practising what we preach.”
Sue Higgins, director-general of finance and corporate services at DCLG, said: “The move to Marsham Street will save £8m per year. The department is continually looking at ways to provide greater value for money to the taxpayer. Our aim is to use our resources - people, public money and property assets – as efficiently and creatively as possible to deliver real change. Now that the department workforce is 37% less, we don’t need as much space so it makes sense to find more suitable accommodation.”
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