Fury as civil servants try to use Iran war as excuse to avoid the office | UK | News
Civil servants have called for the elimination of compulsory office work to protect them from the high cost of living brought on by the Iran war. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has called on ministers to scrap rules requiring them to commute to work at least three days a week.
PCS, the largest union of Whitehall workers, said the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran was “increasing costs for workers who are already struggling to make ends meet” due to fuel price rises, energy bills predicted to rise by 20 per cent and a rise in food prices. The union said office work was “out of step” as financial pressures worsened, putting further pressure on public sector workers facing lower pay.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “PCS claims civil servants’ pay is low, despite bureaucrats in Britain enjoying higher wages, better holiday entitlements, more sick leave and much more generous pensions than their private sector counterparts.
“Ministers should ignore these demands and tell the stubborn pen-mongers to grow up.”
PCS highlighted advice from the International Energy Agency (IEA), an international treaty body, two weeks ago that countries should reduce energy consumption through working from home to limit the impact of higher fuel costs. The IEA’s guidance for businesses and individuals also included using public transport instead of cars, driving slowly, avoiding air travel and switching from gas stoves to electric.
The proposals were rejected by Labor and the Prime Minister’s official spokesman told the public: “We [Britain] It has a diverse and durable supply. “People in the UK should continue to go about their days as normal.”
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said the Government “must be prepared to adapt its approach in response to events like this and remove the 60% mandate, which will provide immediate assistance to our members and help reduce costs.” Telegram reported.
Labor is understood to have no plans to change the policy asking civil servants to spend at least 60 per cent of their time working on official premises – a mandate set by the previous Conservative Government.
Civil service pay in the UK is structured by grade, with the average salary being £33,980, although it varies significantly by department. By 2026, entry-level salaries average around £23,000, while senior civil servants (SCS) can earn £80,000.
