A resurgence of a “work from home” culture is feared to be growing in Whitehall as the Labour Government refuse to lay out a policy on how often civil servants should work in the office.
Government chiefs have suggested that its focus is on supporting staff to “deliver change”, rather than a “work from home” policy.
The previous Tory Government ordered staff to spend at least 60 per cent of their time in the office.
Labour has also stopped the publication of weekly data tables showing how many staff are in the office by each department.
A resurgence of a ‘work from home’ culture is feared to be growing in Whitehall as the Labour Government refuse to lay out a policy on how often civil servants should work in the officeGettySenior Conservatives have voiced concerns of home working becoming the “norm” again.
It comes after Transport Secretary Louise Haigh and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner told employees that they support “flexible working”.
Former Tory chairman Richard Holden raised the issue in a written parliamentary question.
Cabinet Office minister, Georgia Gould responded: “The Government’s entire focus is on the work of delivering change.
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“The Government has not yet reviewed existing guidance on home working.
“We will support the Civil Service with the necessary tools to ensure it can deliver that change.”
Holden hit back as he claimed that there are “productivity issues plaguing the public sector”.
“Taxpayers deserve clear guidance on how their money is being spent,” Holden told the Daily Mail.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner told employees that they support ‘flexible working’
PA
“Sadly, the Labour Government don’t seem to even have a policy on civil servants working from home when we all know the productivity issues plaguing the public sector.”
Shadow paymaster general John Glen added: “Under Labour, it looks like working from home is the new norm.”
He alleged that Labour was “putting civil servants’ demands over value for money and public sector efficiency”.