27 October 2009 | Jake Kanter

The UK government could save £250,000 by cutting the amount of business travel civil servants undertake in their own vehicles.

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) yesterday launched a campaign to improve management of the so-called "grey fleet", which is estimated to account for 57 per cent of total miles public sector employees travel on the road.

The OGC said if civil servants travelled one million fewer miles in their own cars, it could save £250,000 and cut carbon emissions by more than 240 tonnes. It added that its collaborative procurement fleet project helped save £8 million last year through better management of grey fleet.

The OGC urged public bodies to eliminate unnecessary business travel and promote other, more sustainable forms of transport. It also warned about the dangers of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, under which managers could be accountable if staff are killed while travelling on business.

William Jordan, chief sustainability officer for the government, said: "I would urge all managers responsible for this particular area of public sector expenditure to ensure effective measures are in place to maximise efficiencies, and safeguard staff wellbeing."

The OGC will showcase best practice on managing grey fleet during a series of workshops around the country. For more information visit: http://tiny.cc/MIks7

SMoct2009