While he is trying to get civil workers back to work, Jacob Rees-Mogg intends to sell off £1.5 billion worth of government buildings in London.
Following the removal of Covid limitations, the minister for Brexit possibilities and government efficiency has repeatedly advised public staff to quit working from home.
However, Mr. Rees-Mogg has already said that he would present a strategy that involves selling real estate holdings in an attempt to realise savings of £2 billion via property sales and operational efficiency.
According to the Sunday Telegraph, the plan calls for personnel to work in fewer buildings and to sell off the assets over the course of the next three years as part of a new network of government “hubs.”
According to him, taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to “pay out for half-empty buildings” that have been “under-used” in the capital.
But transferring government employees to our lovely counties and towns via the Places for Development initiative would benefit everyone, offering employees a higher quality of life and promoting economic growth outside of the capital, according to Mr. Rees-Mogg.
“We are reducing the expense of the public estate in order to give money back to the taxpayer.” Every expenditure on government property must be supported.
Moving civil service positions out of London would “enable greater savings and imply the government is closer to the areas it serves,” the MP for North East Somerset said.
In April, it came to light that Rees-Mogg had left notes in Whitehall workstations and sent letters to cabinet members pleading with them to come back to work.
I hope to see you at the office soon, read the message that was left behind.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), whose employees informed managers that two days a week in the office is the most they can handle, was also criticised by the minister.
“Any normal person would see that spending just two days a week in the workplace would hurt performance,” he told the Telegraph. “The FCA has an essential role.” We are aware that collaboration makes individuals more effective. He previously threatened to tighten down on “flexitime” work schedules that enable federal officials to put in around five less hours per week than the norm for the country while still receiving full pay.
Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, which represents senior civil servants, said at the time in response to Rees-efficiency Mogg’s campaign that the private sector had “embraced hybrid working, recognising the efficiencies it delivers and competitive edge it gives to employers in a tight labour market.”
Meanwhile, the cabinet’s luddites insist on micromanaging the Civil Service, which will only discourage excellent candidates from entering and demoralise those who are already there.