The Government has published a new Facilities Management Strategy that commits to “reshaping the public estate, making it smaller, better and greener, and able to support the transformation of places and services”.

This Facilities Management Strategy establishes, for the first time, a coordinated, cross-government vision for facilities management, setting the strategic approach and standards that will govern what good looks like and the quality of service that should be aspired to.

The vision, values and goals articulated in this strategy have been developed collaboratively, bringing together expertise from colleagues across government, and the wider facilities management and property industries.

Together, they agree and understand the need to work in partnership to improve service delivery, embed sustainability and support the levelling up agenda. Furthermore, the Facilities Management Strategy contributes to the commitments set out in the Government Property Strategy, aligning with key missions relating to a better and greener estate, the transformation of services and delivering professional excellence.

Alex Chisholm, Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary (Cabinet Office), said:

“The facilities management sector contributes more than £65bn to the UK economy. Of this, around £13bn comes directly from public sector procurement. This means the UK Government directs almost 20% of the total market, bringing a significant opportunity to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of our workplaces, and public sector facilities, to ensure our vision for facilities management is achieved. There is a direct link between the quality of workplaces and the services provided from them. Improving facilities management will support better services for our citizens. This strategy sets out how we will get there. I am delighted to support the Government Property Facilities Management Strategy 2022-2030.”

Noting that Whitehall property professionals deliver workplace, facilities management and maintenance services at more than 135,000 public buildings, Chisholm continued:

“Wherever public servants work, and provide services from, it is essential they are enabled to be at their most productive and wholly focused on their critical mission: delivering effective public services to our citizens.”

The strategy document can be downloaded here.