Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

MoD to sell old War Office building

 

Ellen Branagh
Monday 19 August 2013 12:57 BST
Comments
The old War Office building, where military planning took place for conflicts including both World Wars and the Cold War
The old War Office building, where military planning took place for conflicts including both World Wars and the Cold War (EPA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Ministry of Defence is to sell one of its historic Whitehall buildings as part of a money-saving drive.

The old War Office building, where military planning took place for conflicts including both World Wars and the Cold War, will be sold on the open market, the MoD said.

It is hoped that the building, which housed figures including Sir Winston Churchill, could fetch £100 million.

In a move expected to save taxpayers around £8 million a year in running costs, its sale will see MoD staff move into the department's main building in 2014.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "As a result of our work to make the MoD leaner, more professional and more efficient, we are able to concentrate defence officials in London in a single building and sell the Old War Office.

"Bringing MoD teams together into one building will save the taxpayer around £8 million a year in running costs as well as generating a capital receipt. It will also enable closer working and collaboration within the department."

Money raised by the sale of the Old War Office Building, as well as the sale of a former London Underground station, used as a Second World War anti-Luftwaffe command centre in Old Brompton Road, will be invested back into defence "priorities", the MoD said.

Built in 1902, the Old War Office housed secretaries of state including Lord Haldane, Lord Kitchener, David Lloyd-George and Churchill.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in