Philip Latham speaks out on office space waste

11.12.08am GMT Tue 2nd Feb 2010

Philip Latham, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Stockton North has spoken out on wasteful spending and wasted opportunities on office space rentals.

Liberal Democrat research and a response to Parliamentary Questions has shown that the Government is spending around £10 million a year on renting offices that it leaves unoccupied.

Departments involved include nearly £3 million spent by the Department of Health and nearly £5 million by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

he says "It is wrong for the Government to treat this kind of money as small change. We have a financial crisis and with many people who are homeless or in desperate need of other essential services. This shameful wastage of public monies must be challenged and stopped.

If accommodation is needed the Government should consider renting offices in cheaper areas like Teesside and making sure that the properties are not left empty. And, of course, there is always scope for further decentralisation for Government departments away from London."