A third of DVLA workers are still not at their desks
30,000 HGV drivers face backlog but...
A THIRD of staff at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are still working from home, despite warnings of supplychain issues over Christmas because of driver shortages.
Government workers are not returning to the office, even though there are delays in processing almost 30,000 HGV licence applications. Last night, Joe Ventre, digital campaign manager for the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Taxpayers don’t appreciate being made to pay for empty desks.
‘As flexible working becomes more popular, Government agencies have a duty to ensure objectives are met and ramp up efficiencies where possible.
Figures released last week revealed the number of empty desks at DVLA headquarters in Swansea – where the Welsh government guidance is still to work from home if possible. About 2,000 staff, who issue and renew drivers’ licences, are still working from home all week.
The department declined to specify how many of its 6,000 staff have returned to the office full-time, rather than doing some work from home. However, 1,389 staff – or 28.5 per cent of the workforce – are permanently working from home at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), based in Bristol. This is responsible for carrying out driving tests, including for lorry drivers
The agency was last night also unable to say how many staff have returned to the office full time. In England, the work-from-home guidance was lifted in July.
Unions have staged 58 days of strikes at the DVLA within the past six months, sparked by concerns about safety and social distancing in the headquarters.
Last night, a DVLA spokesman said: ‘Staff in roles that enable them to work from home are doing so and have throughout the pandemic in accordance with Welsh government guidance. Operational staff, including those who process applications for vocational driving licences, are required to be in the office.’
A DVSA spokesman said the agency was ‘satisfied that all colleagues currently working from home are able to provide a full service’ to its customers.