Yorkshire ‘perfect’ for Whitehall jobs

YORKSHIRE is primed for the mass exodus set to hit Whitehall as a result of the new Government’s intention to deliver efficiency savings across public sector property.

That’s the message from Guy Gilfillan, head of national property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton in Yorkshire, who has suggested that the ensuing relocations posed very significant opportunities for Leeds and Sheffield.

Mr Gilfilan said that, while distressing for those at risk of upheaval, the moves were necessary to help reduce the UK’s budget deficit.

Mr Gilfilan said: “As in previous recessions, the public sector looks set to become a net disposer of commercial property. It therefore seems entirely sensible that, in view of the government’s stated need for national austerity, central government departments and quangos should be scrutinising their property costs and space utilisation standards, with a view to radically minimising both.

“With circa 644 public sector leases due to expire or reach a break clause in the current financial year – a high proportion of which are located in central London – and a further 15,000 civil service positions identified for decentralisation as part of the recently published Smith Review, now would be the perfect time to implement a cohesive rationalisation strategy.

“The implications of such a review could be immense for the lower-cost regional property markets, particularly when private sector occupational demand is still fairly muted.

“Both Leeds and Sheffield are proven locations for government relocations, with major public sector occupiers, including the Department for Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, acting as catalysts for further moves.”