Brown keen to cash in assets

Gordon Brown wants to rush through the sale of public buildings to help fund his spending plans.

Among the properties that could go on the market is Somerset House.

The Chancellor has made it clear he plans to make ?30 billion from the sale of assets. The purge of civil service jobs and the moving of others will free up dozens of prime properties in London and the South-East.

Mr Brown hopes to cash in on the property boom by putting buildings on the market as soon as possible. However, ministers may have to wait before they are able to put land and buildings up for sale. Many departments have strict leases and face penalties for breaking contracts early.