Wonders and blunders: The best and worst of government buildings
16 May Property & Estates

Wonders and blunders: The best and worst of government buildings

Forget break-out spaces and collaboration zones, many civil service offices of the past were ugly, impractical and unpleasant to work in. Jim Dunton explores the history of some of government’s most notorious buildings – and pays homage to some of the pioneering ones too
by Jim Dunton
SR25: 'Canary Wharf costs half as much as Westminster' – departments outline estate plans
13 Jun Property & Estates
SR25: 'Canary Wharf costs half as much as Westminster' – departments outline estate plans
The government needs a workforce plan to inform civil service relocation
21 May Property & Estates
The government needs a workforce plan to inform civil service relocation
MoD breaks ground on site for 1,100 staff in Blackpool
20 May Property & Estates
MoD breaks ground on site for 1,100 staff in Blackpool
Cat Little apologises for error over contract termination
23 May 2024 Property & Estates
Cat Little apologises for error over contract termination
The cabinet office permanent secretary said formal termination was "through a negotiated settlement agreement with the supplier" rather than "non-performance" as she previously stated
Deal secures land for new civil service hub in Manchester
17 May 2024 Property & Estates
Deal secures land for new civil service hub in Manchester
Multi-department digital campus will host 7,000 jobs on site of former shopping centre
Treasury's Darlington hub to be completed by 2027
01 May 2024 Property & Estates
Treasury's Darlington hub to be completed by 2027
Construction on Darlington Economic Campus HQ will begin this year as GPA signs deal with Kier
No difference between working from home and office, says HMRC chief
26 Apr 2024 Property & Estates
No difference between working from home and office, says HMRC chief
Jim Harra also defends HMRC over "gross distortions" made by a former secretary of state
Spending-control breach sparks Cabinet Office drive to boost compliance
22 Apr 2024 Property & Estates
Spending-control breach sparks Cabinet Office drive to boost compliance
Cat Little responds to MPs' concerns over whether Cabinet Office is on top of compliance duties given its own agency broke rules
WFH: Unions slam John Glen's 'political attack' on civil servants
17 Apr 2024 Property & Estates
WFH: Unions slam John Glen's 'political attack' on civil servants
Civil service unions accuse minister for the Cabinet Office of ‘pillorying’ civil servants and ‘trashing the brand for cheap headlines’
Office-working decisions ‘should be for individual managers’, shadow chancellor says
10 Apr 2024 Property & Estates
Office-working decisions ‘should be for individual managers’, shadow chancellor says
Reeves says she believes spending more time in the office is "good for productivity and morale"
Places for Growth: Departments set to smash target as relocations reach 18,000
22 Mar 2024 Property & Estates
Places for Growth: Departments set to smash target as relocations reach 18,000
Almost a thousand jobs from DLUHC alone were moved away from the capital between October and December last year
'What I won’t miss? The rate of change we’ve experienced': Alex Chisholm on his time as civil service COO
20 Mar 2024 Property & Estates
'What I won’t miss? The rate of change we’ve experienced': Alex Chisholm on his time as civil service COO
Looking back over four years as chief operating officer, Alex Chisholm shares what he’s proud of achieving, what he regrets, and what he will miss most about the job
Read the spring 2024 issue of Civil Service World
19 Mar 2024 Property & Estates
Read the spring 2024 issue of Civil Service World
Perm secs reflect on the first year of DSIT, DBT and DESNZ, plus a defence special focus
Departing civil service COO 'not worried' about drop in Fast Stream applications
19 Mar 2024 Property & Estates
Departing civil service COO 'not worried' about drop in Fast Stream applications
Sir Alex Chisholm says he hasn't seen "any signs at all" that the fall in applicants is affecting the quality of the scheme
The Wizard from Oz: Dan Labbad on leading the Crown Estate
18 Mar 2024 Property & Estates
The Wizard from Oz: Dan Labbad on leading the Crown Estate
The Crown Estate is one of the UK’s oldest institutions and contributes hundreds of millions of pounds a year to the national coffers. Its Australian chief executive Dan Labbad talks about running this unique organisation – and why his daughter is his inspiration
Sedwill says civil service needs a 'physical campus' for training
11 Mar 2024 Property & Estates
Sedwill says civil service needs a 'physical campus' for training
Former cabinet secretary also tells MPs officials need to be incentivised to stay in their jobs for longer
GPA appoints strategic partners for capital programmes
06 Mar 2024 Property & Estates
GPA appoints strategic partners for capital programmes
North American consultants will provide design and specialist services for the hubs programme and Whitehall Campus
HMCTS cancels part of controversial Common Platform rollout
01 Mar 2024 Property & Estates
HMCTS cancels part of controversial Common Platform rollout
Legal professionals will continue to use a case management system in place since 2016 for Crown Court cases
1 Victoria Street closes its doors in 'major step forward' for estate rationalisation
29 Feb 2024 Property & Estates
1 Victoria Street closes its doors in 'major step forward' for estate rationalisation
Lease ends on former BEIS HQ as Government Property Agency continues its efforts to shrink the government estate
Civil service leaders ‘should make stronger case for office-based working’
05 Feb 2024 Property & Estates
Civil service leaders ‘should make stronger case for office-based working’
Cabinet Office minister tells House of Lords that younger staff need in-person mentoring
GPA reappoints chair for second term
02 Feb 2024 Property & Estates
GPA reappoints chair for second term
Announcement comes after agency launches recruitment campaign for new chief exec
Government Property Agency offers up to £220k for next chief exec
23 Jan 2024 Property & Estates
Government Property Agency offers up to £220k for next chief exec
Package represents a significant boost on previous boss Steven Boyd’s remuneration package
Ministry of Justice sells Reading Prison
12 Jan 2024 Property & Estates
Ministry of Justice sells Reading Prison
Former prison site has lay empty for 10 years
London office exodus a 'game-changer' – Cross Government Social Mobility Network chair reflects on 2023
09 Jan 2024 Property & Estates
London office exodus a 'game-changer' – Cross Government Social Mobility Network chair reflects on 2023
Kate Lalor also sets out network's priorities for 2024
Tunnel vision: Former government complex could become tourist attraction
08 Jan 2024 Property & Estates
Tunnel vision: Former government complex could become tourist attraction
Developer lodges plans to open up subterranean network in Holborn that inspired James Bond author Ian Fleming
Three departments announce second HQs outside London
14 Dec 2023 Property & Estates
Three departments announce second HQs outside London
DBT, DSIT and DESNZ to open new HQs
Places for Growth: Which departments are leading the way in London jobs exodus?
14 Dec 2023 Property & Estates
Places for Growth: Which departments are leading the way in London jobs exodus?
New stats reveal most popular destinations for job relocations, which grades are moving most and the departments playing the biggest role