Working From Home: Public Sector Productivity Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Sherbourne of Didsbury
Main Page: Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury's debates with the HM Treasury
(1 month ago)
Lords ChamberNo, there would not. One of the benefits of working from home is a much more efficient use of office space. It has a beneficial impact on capital in terms of releasing office space for more productive use, and that is currently what is under way.
My Lords, how does the Minister measure productivity in the public sector?
There are a variety of measures, as I understand it. The ONS has a fairly standard measure. However, the noble Lord is absolutely right that it is much harder to measure productivity in the public sector than it is in the private sector. Measures that the Government are undertaking, such as increasing the number of GP appointments or reducing waiting lists, increase public sector output and therefore productivity.