{"primaryDescription":"

Public Accounts Committee scrutinises management and governance of The Crown Estate and associated properties

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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) holds an evidence session as part of its inquiry into The Crown Estate and associated properties: management and governance.

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In October 2025, the Chair of the PAC wrote to the Crown Estate and HM Treasury seeking information on the lease arrangements for Royal Lodge. The Crown Estate and Treasury responded in November (links here and here respectively). Following these responses, the PAC announced its intention to hold an inquiry into the Crown Estate, based on this extant correspondence; on work from the National Audit Office updating its 2005 report, 'The Crown Estate - Property Leases with the Royal Family'; and on the Crown Estate’s Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26. It subsequently launched the inquiry on Friday 3 July.

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The Crown Estate manages a £14.5bn portfolio of land, property and seabed across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, returning unretained profits to HM Treasury to help fund public services, while The Royal Household is the body which supports the Sovereign and members of the Royal Family in their official duties, and maintains the occupied royal palaces. The PAC will take evidence from senior officials at both organisations as it scrutinises whether they are maximising value for taxpayers’ money in their management and governance of their various properties.

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Other likely topics will include The Crown Estate’s management of its assets, including urban development; its management of the seabed, including the development of offshore windfarms; and leasing arrangements for residential properties occupied by members of the Royal family.

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