Rent, boys !

The Coalition's big idea for Government buildings: make departments rent space from a new central property vehicle, run with private partners.  (Public Property).  If operated in London, and Bristol, it's claimed it could save an astonishing £5bn a year. 

This replaces the Labour idea of moving ministries and others out of Whitehall to create employment in Labour heartlands.  Jack Straw's Ministry of Justice spent more than two years trying to find a "hub" of 250,000 sq ft in Liverpool/Manchester, but the civil servants were (intentionally ?) too slow in making their minds up; the plan was quietly shelved in September.

Now, dear BBC, what about putting some of your space into the mix ?  Not studios, but surely the much loved-office blocks of White City would be ideal for the scheme. Or the East Tower at TVC, and Centre House across the road. Maybe even office space at MediacityUK. Then new boss Lucy Adams could really slim down the property team.