Scottish Government offices near empty as civil servant attendance falls to single digits

The Scottish Government’s hybrid‑working policy, introduced in October 2024, required more than 9,000 civil servants to spend at least 40% of their contracted hours in a government building. Data obtained through freedom‑of‑information requests reveal that the policy has not translated into regular office use.

From 12 December 2025 to 12 January 2026, only 12% of core staff logged into a government building on Wednesdays. Tuesday attendance was 11% and Thursday 10%, while Monday and Friday fell to 5% and 3% respectively. The lowest‑used sites, such as Victoria Quay, recorded single‑digit occupancy on most days, whereas the largest office, Atlantic Quay in Glasgow, peaked at 25% on Wednesdays.

By contrast, the UK Government’s departments reported occupancy rates above 40% in the same period, with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at 44% in December. The disparity highlights the Scottish Government’s struggle to meet its own target.

Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy called the figures “inexcusable” and “absolutely ridiculous,” arguing that taxpayers are funding largely empty buildings while civil servants work from home. He linked the low attendance to a broader cost‑inflation issue, noting an 80% rise in core staff numbers and a £41.8 million expense to run five key buildings since 2021‑22.

Permanent Secretary Joe Griffin, who oversees the civil service, acknowledged that compromises with trade unions were necessary to shape the hybrid policy. He admitted the government lacks the ability to enforce or monitor attendance without triggering industrial conflict, describing the current arrangement as a “shortcoming.” A government spokesperson reiterated that occupancy data does not capture work conducted in community settings or at the Scottish Parliament and stressed that the policy remains a flexible, hybrid model.

Internal communications among junior staff reflected a similar sentiment, with one employee noting that only Atlantic Quay and St Andrew’s House approached the 40% threshold, while most buildings hovered around 20‑30% on peak days.

The low office presence raises questions about the future of the Scottish Government estate. With building costs running into tens of millions and occupancy well below targets, officials may need to reassess space utilisation, renegotiate lease terms, or tighten hybrid‑working expectations. Watch for upcoming reports from Holyrood’s finance committee on how the government plans to align building costs with actual usage.