MPs criticise culture department's high office costs

LONDON (Reuters) - A group of MPs criticised the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on Tuesday for spending 40 million pounds a year on office space, including prime London locations.

The Committee of Public Accounts said in its latest report that the department should strive for better efficiency in its office accommodation.

The department, as well as its 24 sponsored bodies, occupies 95 offices around England, housing 5,000 staff at a cost of more than 40 million pounds a year, the committee said.

The biggest culprit for staying in swanky accommodation was the Football Licensing Authority, which has its offices in Cavendish Square, in London's West End, the committee said.

It called on the department to "stand up and exercise leadership".

"The DCMS...must challenge assumptions about the need to occupy prestigious offices, and hold organisations to account," committee chairman Edward Leigh said.

"The annual cost of accommodating each official ranges from 1,000 pounds to 30,000 pounds. Too many are housed for no clear reason at upmarket addresses in London -- an extreme example being the six members of the Football Licensing Authority.

"Nearly half of the offices enjoy remarkably generous amounts of space."

He said the department should look at getting organisations to share office space outside of London.

The 25 reviewed organisations do not include national museums or galleries.