Data on purchase and return of home-working equipment: FOI release

Information requested

I would like data on the number and cost of equipment purchased for civil servants to work from home in 2024 and 2025. I would also like information on how much of this equipment has been recovered from civil servants who have left the Scottish Government and a copy of the central asset register for this taxpayer funded equipment.

Response

I enclose most of the information you requested. Information on the cost of equipment purchased in 2024-2025 is available here Amount spent on working from home equipment: FOI release - gov.scot.

Information on recovering equipment is available below, please note equipment can be returned to SG at any time and not just when leaving Scottish Government.

Equipment returned/collected in specified period

Equipment Returned/Collected	2024 – 2025 (Jan-Dec)
Operator Chair	224
Folding Desk	80

Equipment Returned/Collected	Estimated value of recovered equipment
Operator Chair	Folding Desk
Folding Desk	£16,000

Data is for equipment returned centrally. Standard operator chairs provided centrally are refurbished models so the cost-effectiveness of recovery and re-use is considered.

Asset register
Operator chairs are refurbished from existing stock which was purchased more than five years ago so are no longer on a formal asset register, a stock list is maintained to track items. A list of folding desks ordered and those available for re-use is maintained but, as departments are charged directly, they follow local processes for registers.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.