Fury as ‘idle’ civil servants STILL working from home despite demands to return to office
SOME government departments still sit half empty because civil servants are continuing to work from home.
Tory MPs blasted the “sheer idleness” of some staffers who refuse to go back to the office.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport — known as the ministry of fun — was named and shamed as the worst culprit.
Only 53 per cent of staff were working at their desks in Whitehall last week, official data shows.
The Home Office and Wales Office were second to bottom in the league table, with just 58 per cent of staff physically making it in to the office.
By contrast, the Department for Science and Technology had the most staff in the office, with an average 97 per cent turning up for work last week.
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Next was the Cabinet Office at 91 per cent, then the Department of Business and Trade on 89 per cent.
Fresh orders to return were issued last month — with civil servants told to spend at least 60 per cent of their time in the office or on official business.
Former Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg fumed: “The year 2024 should be the year everyone returns to work.
"The sheer idleness of some home-working at the taxpayers’ expense must stop.”
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While he was Business Secretary, Mr Rees-Mogg led the charge against working from home by leaving notes on desks saying: “I look forward to seeing you in the office soon.”
A government spokesman said: “We have always been clear on the benefits of collaborative face-to-face working, particularly for the development of junior staff.
“That’s why we set out new guidance for civil servants.”