New push to get civil servants back to the office

Ministers are preparing to order civil servants back to the office. Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, has told Whitehall departments to get as many staff back to the office, while ministers are considering setting targets to limit working from home. An announcement is expected this week. But attempts to return staff to the Whitehall workplace could prove difficult, as desk space has already been cut to save money. In his speech to the Conservative Party conference, the prime minister said: “We will and must see people back in the office.” This week ministers are expected to insist that more civil servants return to the office. They are debating whether to set specific targets or simply press mandarins to do more. The Times (£)