UK saves £163 m due to reducing energy consumption last year

20 / 04 / 2024

By Marwa Nassar - -

The UK saved over £163 million last year due to reduced overall energy consumption across government buildings.

The latest figures released in the government’s annual State of the Estate report, highlight the significant progress being made to make the public estate more sustainable and efficient.

In part through the disposal of unused property and the relocation of civil servants into modern, multi-departmental hubs, the government has been able to reduce its energy bill by £163 million and cut direct emissions by 14% compared to the baseline 2017/18.

Since March 2020, 83% (18,283 roles) of the 2027 Places for Growth target have been delivered, and 31.2% of UK-based SCS are now located outside of London, the report added.

The One Public Estate program, delivered in partnership with the Cabinet Office, Local Government Association, and Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, secured £63m in capital receipts, £26 million in running cost savings, released land for 6,000 homes, and helped create 9,000 jobs, according to the report.

Generated £1.07 billion in capital receipts from the disposal of surplus land and buildings to support regeneration and residential development in communities, the report added.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Alex Burghart, said “We are committed to creating more modern and productive work environments where civil servants can be inspired and take pride in delivering the best possible service to the taxpayer.”

“These savings on our energy bills, alongside the income generated through the disposal of unused property, will be reinvested into improving the overall quality of the public estate,” he added.