Civil servants told to 'grow up' as they demand to work from home amid war in Iran
Civil servants have been told to "grow up" after suggesting mandatory office working should be removed in an effort to protect them from the higher cost of living brought on by the Iran war.
The Public and Commercial Services Union, the largest union of Whitehall staff, has urged ministers to end the rule requiring them to go into office for at least three days a week.
They said the war in Iran was "pushing up costs for workers who are already struggling to make ends meet," describing office work as "out of step" with the ongoing financial pressures facing staff.
However, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, John O'Connell, hit back, saying: "The PCS claims that civil servants are poorly paid, despite Britain’s bureaucrats benefiting from higher salaries than their private sector counterparts on top of better holiday entitlements, more sick leave, and significantly more generous pensions.
"Ministers should be ignoring these demands and telling recalcitrant pen-pushers to grow up."
The crisis in the Middle East has led to an increase in petrol and diesel prices for people all over the UK, with energy bills forecast to go up by 20 per cent, along with higher food prices, according to the PCS.
The union pointed to advice from the International Energy Agency, which recommended over two weeks ago that countries reduce their energy consumption through home working to help reduce the impact of higher fuel prices.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected the suggestions, with his spokesman confirming: "We [Britain] have a diverse and resilient supply. People in the UK should continue to go about their days in normal fashion."
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