Ministers renew call for return to offices

MINISTERS have stepped up calls for employees to return to their workplaces next week.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay said the Government was “keen” for people to stop working from home where possible.

The comments followed conflicting signals on the issue from Cabinet ministers in recent days.

Mr Barclay told Times Radio: “We are keen to get people back in the office.

“We think that’s best for the economy to get back to normal as part of our recovery.

“The whole purpose of the furlough scheme has been to retain that link between the employee and their business.

“Obviously, people are coming back as the furlough scheme starts to unwind, back into the workplace in a more active way.

“So we are keen to see that take place. Clearly, these are conversations that businesses will be having with their staff.”

The comments come after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had “absolutely no idea” how many people in his department are currently working from home.

In comments interpreted by some as out of step with the Government’s message, Mr Hancock said: “What I care about is how effectively people work and obviously people should come back to the office if that is what they need to do their job.”

Mr Barclay defended a Government ad campaign encouraging a return to workplaces. He said: “It’s part of a wider comms message really, which is we need to ensure that workplaces are Covid-safe, that businesses take the necessary measures.”

Mr Barclay said he did not accept union concerns that the Government and universities could be risking public health by going ahead with plans to fully reopen campuses.

He said: “I don’t agree with that. I think universities, like the rest of the economy, need to come back and I think students need to be able to do so.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said firms should be obliged to publish their Covid-19 risk assessments as the Government wants employees to return to work.

She told Times Radio:“Now the Government has said it would expect employers to publish their health and safety risk assessments. Frankly, very few have. I think it’s time that the Government said, ‘That’s not just a request, that’s a requirement.’”