THE Government has raised £7.5million by selling off properties in the North East.
Sunderland Driving Test Centre, in Stockton Road, and land at Green Lanes, Old Elvet, Durham City, were among the latest sales revealed by Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude.
The Government said it has also let more than 1,000 leasehold and Private Finance Initiative properties.
“It’s remarkable that the Government was paying for property that it just wasn’t using,” said Mr Maude.
“That kind of waste is always unacceptable – but is completely unjustifiable when we are trying to reduce the deficit and get ahead in the global race.
“In the past, Government took out expensive leases at the taxpayers’ expense on new properties, even though freehold space was under-used or even empty.
“Our strategy is to get out of expensive leases and concentrate on the properties we actually own.
“Since the General Election, we have slashed wasteful spend on buildings and negotiated great money making deals.
“The £1billion we have saved the taxpayer represents £60 for every working family.”
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