In a revelation by LBC, it has been disclosed that nearly £100,000 was allocated for refurbishing the personal offices of the Health Secretary, concurrently with the rejection of substantial pay increases for junior doctors. The refurbishment, conducted at the 39 Victoria Street headquarters, transformed the space into an open-plan office and a new canteen during the tenure of former Health Secretary Steve Barclay, who was succeeded by Victoria Atkins at the end of last year in a reshuffle by the Prime Minister.
The initiative aimed to consolidate NHS England staff within the building, fostering closer collaboration. Government insiders emphasized that the opulent overhaul was executed within existing budgets, dispelling notions of additional spending.
The offices gained notoriety during the pandemic for CCTV footage capturing former Health Secretary Matt Hancock with his lover, but they have since undergone a significant transformation. Data obtained by LBC reveals that the total cost of Department for Health refurbishments in 2023 amounted to approximately £140,000, with £92,000 specifically allocated to the Secretary of State’s office renovation.
Initial reports suggested that Steve Barclay had engaged in discussions with upscale designer Bon Collective for the refurbishment, but the project was eventually handled by internal contractors. Barclay had envisioned incorporating a coffee breakout zone, a media suite for interviews, and boardrooms for hosting foreign officials.
The revelation has sparked criticism, with junior doctor Olivia expressing that spending such a sum on an office refurbishment appeared “a little bit frivolous” and suggesting alternative uses for the funds. However, a source close to Barclay explained to LBC that the ministers, including Barclay, relinquished their individual offices on the ninth floor to work in an open-plan setup on the first floor. Subsequently, the ninth-floor offices were repurposed into a meeting area accessible to all staff members.
The Department for Health defended the expenditure, framing it as part of a broader reform and efficiency program that has witnessed a one-sixth reduction in headcount over the past year. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, in a recent statement to LBC, indicated that her ministers would be engaging with junior doctors to address their concerns amid ongoing strikes. The doctors are advocating for a 30% pay rise, a demand deemed unaffordable by government ministers.
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