Ructions ensue over relocation of DfT

02 January 2013

Plans to move the Department for Transport (DfT) into the Ministry of Defence (MoD) building are reported to have caused ructions in both departments.

As part of the Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude's attempts to reform the civil service, the move is expected to save millions while making better use of the massive MoD headquarters.

A government aide was quoted by the Financial Times as saying the building was underused "and we believe there is no reason for having it underoccupied".

The paper said that DfT officials were worried that it would cost more to be housed within the MoD while defence officials were worried that security could be affected.

The government is said to have saved more than £350m since May 2010 on estate costs and to have vacated over 1,000 buildings.

COMMENTS

Why not move them all out to the sticks (there's plenty of cheap office space in Aldershot or Catterick) and flog the White Elephant off to a social housing developer, providing accomodation for the many deprived workers needed to keep the capital ticking over
Pete Lynes - Leeds, West Yorkshire

It would save even more money to convert MB into accomodation for MPs. Close to Westminster, and would save on all those second homes and duck houses.
AlMiles - Bristol, UK

or Bicester or Lyneham. Plenty of space, good transport connections.
Muddler - uk