Public Sector Estates 2.0
The public sector estate is part of the fabric of society, from the hospitals where we're born, the schools where we're educated, to the neighbourhoods we call home. As stewards of the estate, leaders need to create the conditions for healthy, resilient, thriving communities.
The sector faces a funding blackhole, with the chancellor announcing a £20 billion deficit. With the prime minister warning ‘things will get worse before they get better,' there's an urgent need to plug productivity gaps. Property is one of the public sector's biggest assets, but also one of its liabilities. The National Audit Office suggests improving productivity, including tackling maintenance backlogs, could release tens of billions for government priorities.
The untapped opportunities are great
Maximising value is essential. The Government Property Strategy sets out the direction of travel for a future-focused, flexible and sustainable estate. COVID-19 profoundly changed how we interact with space. While the two-metre signs may have vanished, the pandemic left a lasting legacy on workplaces with a shift towards hybrid working. The move to digital will continue to transform how space is used and the sector needs to be ready for changes on the horizon. Leaders must consider not only bricks and mortar but also how buildings shape workplace culture and citizen experience.
In this whitepaper, we will look at the key considerations when developing a future-looking estates strategy across the public sector, including the NHS, central government, local government, blue light and justice, education and housing.
