**Millions of Pounds Lost as Welsh Government Offices Stand Largely Empty Amid Remote Work Trends**
A growing scandal is unfolding in Wales as it has been revealed that government offices, costing taxpayers an estimated £24.5 million annually, are significantly under-used since the widespread adoption of remote working. The persistent emptiness of these state-funded spaces has ignited public outrage and prompted serious warnings from senior government officials about possible closures if attendance rates do not improve.
The Welsh Government maintains a network of 20 offices across the nation, employing around 5,700 civil servants. Current guidelines suggest staff are expected to spend around 40% of their working week—roughly two days—in the office. However, official figures highlight a much lower rate of in-person attendance. In March, for example, only 16% of staff attended offices on an average day. The situation is particularly stark at the key hub in Merthyr Tydfil, where occupancy has plummeted to a mere 9%. The earlier months of January and February saw daily occupancy rates lingering around 15%.
Among the most notable of these government-owned buildings are the offices at Cathays Park in Cardiff, Rhyd-y-Car in Merthyr Tydfil, Rhodfa Padarn in Aberystwyth, and Sarn Mynach in Llandudno Junction. A further five sites are being kept operational to serve regional needs. Despite the low office attendance, these properties incur substantial running costs, further fuelling criticism about efficiency and accountability within the public sector.
During a recent debate, local independent member Russell George challenged the necessity of keeping the Welsh Government’s Newtown office open. In response, First Minister Eluned Morgan conceded that these occupancy patterns necessitate a fundamental rethink. “We are currently reviewing our office use, given the shift in how people work. If employees are not coming in, maintaining these offices is simply not justifiable,” she remarked. “There will inevitably come a point where underused offices may have to shut.”
Trade unions, meanwhile, have come to the defence of the current hybrid work arrangements. Steve Thomas, deputy general secretary of the Prospect union, argued that public servants are still delivering vital services while enjoying the flexibility of remote working. “Our members in the Welsh Government continue to deliver for the people of Wales, and the hybrid approach allows for both productivity and effective service delivery,” he stated, insisting that the move towards home working has not compromised standards.
Yet, the issue remains deeply divisive. Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, has promised to reverse remote work trends should his party come to power. “If elected, a Welsh Conservative government will put an end to unnecessary remote working and ensure civil servants return to their office duties,” Millar said earlier this year. This clear divergence of views reflects ongoing national and international debates about the broader impacts of remote working within public institutions.
The debate has also spilled into public forums and comment sections, where opinions are fiercely divided. Critics of remote working, such as one online commenter, argue that productivity in the public sector has sharply declined since home working took hold during the pandemic. They contend that remote oversight cannot substitute for traditional in-office management and accountability. On the other hand, supporters highlight the benefits of flexible working—for example, reduced congestion and commuting stress, as well as savings on both sides. Some argue that, rather than forcing staff back unnecessarily, the government could realise significant efficiencies by selling off excess office space.
Others propose solutions including hot-desking, where staff alternate their use of office space on set days to minimise the number of buildings required. There are those, however, who consider the current situation not just inefficient but a matter of public outrage, calling it “a scandal” and questioning why taxpayers should fund empty offices.
As the Welsh Government weighs whether to close some offices, the controversy underscores wider questions about how best to manage public resources in a post-pandemic world. Can the public sector provide cost-effective services while offering staff modern flexibility, or is a return to traditional office-based working the only way forward? The debate is set to continue, with implications not only for public spending, but also for the future of work in Wales and beyond.