Modernising the government estate

The government has set out a broad ambition of reducing the overall government estate as a means to improve internal communication, enable better joint working and save money. Across all government departments, powerful reforms are leading to reductions and optimisations of government spaces, better implementation of technology, flexible working, and innovative ways for departments to deliver their services. The challenge of a more efficient government remains, however. DWP, MoJ, BEIS and HMRC still hold over two-thirds of the total government estate, and public services can always offer better value for money. To this end, opportunities for different departments and public service leaders to meet, discuss and explore lessons learnt and joint opportunities are crucial.

Reform was delighted to host a high-level roundtable to support the further development of the government’s estate reform programme. This discussion highlighted the successes of the government’s estate strategy and discussed the potential for technology to support better, efficient and more modern working, as well as outlined the challenges that departments must overcome. The event brought together 20 public service leaders and senior figures from departments that are modernising their own estates.

Sherin Aminossehe, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Government Property Profession at the Government Property Unit, delivered the opening remarks before opening the discussion to the roundtable. The event was held under Chatham House Rule, in partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise.