Committee publication · Correspondence · 25 February 2025
Letter from Georgia Gould OBE MP, Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on the update on Places for Growth commitments, dated 14.1.25
From: Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Inquiry: The work of the Cabinet Office
Summary
Georgia Gould, Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, updates the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on progress of the Places for Growth programme following its July 2023 inquiry report. A mid-programme formative evaluation has been completed, showing the programme delivered £145.8m in staff and estate savings by December 2023, with projected £1.1bn savings and £881m in local economic benefits by 2030, assessed as value for money with a cost-benefit ratio of 3.1 to 9.3.
Key findings
- Places for Growth relocations from London delivered £145.8m in staff and estate savings by December 2023, equating to approximately £10,600 savings per FTE annually.
- Programme projected to deliver £1.1bn in staff and estate savings and £881m in local economic benefits by 2030, with assessed cost-benefit ratio between 3.1 (low) and 9.3 (high).
- Mid-programme formative evaluation completed using HMT Magenta Book and Government Social Research protocols, independently peer-reviewed to assess value for money and achievement of intended outcomes.
- Future acceleration priorities include establishing thematic campuses in core locations, aligning Civil Service skills with regional strengths, co-locating departments to reduce silos, growing senior and policy roles in regions, and strengthening local partnerships.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Georgia Gould OBE MP, Simon Hoare, Cabinet Office, Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Office of Government Property
Notable line
“Overall the programme is considered value for money with a cost benefit ratio of between 3.1 [low] and 9.3 [high].”
Key Quotes
“Up to and inclusive of December 2023, locating roles from London has delivered £145.8m in staff and estate with circa £10,600 staff and estate savings per FTE per annum.”
“The programme is also on track to deliver an estimated £1.1bn in staff and estate savings and £881m in local economic benefits by”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗