The government’s education property company LocatED is set to be absorbed into the Department for Education, it has been revealed. Launched eight years ago to procure sites for new free schools, the firm is now expected to move into the DfE by April 2026. Its work has been extended to acquiring and selling sites on the department鈥檚 behalf and providing 鈥渁n expert commercial property consultancy service鈥� to officials and schools. Falling rolls have meant fewer new schools. Officials said the move, , will see LocatED鈥檚 鈥渃ommercial expertise鈥� combine 鈥渨ith the department鈥檚 capability in delivering capital programmes, policy knowledge, and strategic oversight鈥�. Cabinet Office quango review It comes after the Cabinet Office launched a review of all arm鈥檚 length bodies across government earlier this year. DfE permanent secretary Susan Acland-Hood said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to be welcoming LocatED colleagues even more closely into the department. 鈥淸This will] help us manage and transform the education estate, make it sustainable, give great value to the taxpayer, and support excellent outcomes for children and young people.鈥� DfE added the new, 鈥渦nified鈥� team 鈥渨ill be better positioned to identify opportunities, streamline processes, and deliver more coherent support to schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other education providers requiring specialist property guidance鈥�. LocatED鈥檚 latest accounts state it 鈥済enerated important capital receipts, delivered substantial savings to the public purse and is at the heart of delivering programmes to enable our schools to reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions鈥�. No redundancy plans, says DfE In 2024-25, it was given a budget of just over 拢9 million. Around 拢2.2 million was spent on 鈥減roject related pre-acquisition costs for sites [and] mixed-use developments鈥�. Lara Newman A further 拢5.4 million went towards employee costs. CEO Lara Newman was paid between 拢220,000 and 拢225,000. She was handed between 拢40,000 and 拢45,000 in performance-related pay. 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly proud of what we鈥檝e achieved since our establishment in 2017,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hroughout this transition, our clients and partners can expect the same high-quality service and expertise they鈥檝e come to rely on.鈥� Her wages eclipse those of Acland-Hood, who took home 拢180,000 to 拢185,000 last year. The DfE said she would remain CEO until April 2026. The department added that, along with all other LocatED employees, it is committed to offering Newman suitable employment in the department. It has no plans to reduce headcount. When asked if Newman’s salary will be maintained, DfE said it cannot comment on the remuneration of individual LocatED employees.