Boris Johnson backs Jacob Rees-Mogg over his drive to get civil servants back in the office

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Jacob Rees-Mogg’s push to get civil servants working in the office again has been backed by No 10 despite the 'Dickensian' move proving controversial with other government ministers.

Mr Rees-Mogg, the minister responsible for government efficiency, has written to other members of the Cabinet, calling on them to issue a clear message to staff about a “rapid return to the office”.

He has also reportedly been leaving notes in empty Whitehall workspaces with the message: “I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon.” However, his drive to get civil servants back at their desks has already been criticised by other high-ranking politicians - most notably Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.

The Times reported that Ms Dorries’ disapproved of Mr Rees-Mogg’s approach, describing it as 'Dickensian'. Mr Rees-Mogg presented figures to Cabinet last week showing that some Government departments were using as little as 25 per cent of office capacity in early April. READ MORE:Boris Johnson writes to Angela Rayner to insist ‘misogynistic’ claims were not in his name Ms Dorries told him his letter to government departments brought to mind “images of burning tallow, rheumy eyes and Marley’s ghost” – a reference to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.