Officials in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government have held discussions about the possibility of moving out of 10 Downing Street, the long-standing official residence and central office of the British prime minister.
The Downing Street complex has been criticised for its condition, and has been described in blunt terms as a "gloomy, mice-infested, bomb-curtained rabbit warren". That characterisation underlines the extent of concern about both the fabric of the building and the working environment it provides.
Talks about relocating would touch on a number of practical and symbolic issues. Any move would raise logistical questions about where the prime minister and key staff would be based, security arrangements, and how to preserve the continuity of government operations while changing a site that is closely associated with executive authority.
Debate over the future of Downing Street also speaks to broader considerations about public spending, heritage and the image of government. It is not unusual for incoming administrations to review accommodation and office needs; such discussions can lead to refurbishment, temporary relocation, or other solutions, depending on the conclusions reached by ministers and officials.