Jacob Rees-Mogg shares snap of empty Cabinet Office that enraged him

Jacob Rees-Mogg reveals picture of empty Cabinet Office that enraged him so much he left notes for the civil servants who were working from home

• Jacob Rees-Mogg came under-fire for attempts to end civil servants WFH 
• However, he has now shared a photo of the empty desks he saw at Whitehall 
• He said he was shocked to see Cabinet Office abandoned at 11am on a weekday 

Jacob Rees-Mogg has shared an image of an empty Cabinet Office which enraged him so much that he left noted for the civil servants who were working from home. 

Mr Rees-Mogg’s zealous attempts to end WFH raised eyebrows this week, after he left notes on empty desks at Whitehall. 

However, he has now revealed the notes were prompted by his shock after discovering the Cabinet Office abandoned at 11am on a weekday.  

He also said that some desk and computers were unused with notices on the walls date from before the pandemic.  

Speaking to the Sun, the MP said: ‘It looked as if the office hadn’t been used in two years.

‘Thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money is being spent, and either they need to be there or not. If not, we should put somebody in this property.’

Jacob Rees-Mogg revealed his controversial notes were prompted by his shock after discovering the Cabinet Office abandoned at 11am on a weekday

Jacob Rees-Mogg was criticised after he left this note on the desks of civil servants working from home

Discussing the message he left on a whiteboard while on a visit to the Eurotunnel in Folkestone, Kent, he added: ‘I wrote on the whiteboard saying, ‘Can we reallocate this space because you clearly don’t need it?’

Mr Rees-Mogg’s zealous attempts to end WFH, including leaving notes on empty desks, have not been backed by other ministers, with

Nadine Dorries accusing him of a ‘Dickensian’ approach to the issue.

The Cabinet is also said to have backed away from the idea of stripping London weighting from the salaries of people who are still not yet commuting back into the capital.

Dave Penman, the secretary general of the Civil service’s FDA union, said: ‘Hybrid working can save taxpayers millions by reducing the government estate and the pandemic showed that effective public services can be delivered regardless of where staff are placed.’

Mr Rees-Mogg has written to Cabinet ministers calling on them to issue a clear message to staff about a ‘rapid return to the office’ and has been leaving notes in empty Whitehall workspaces with the message: ‘I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon.’

Downing Street said Boris Johnson supported Mr Rees-Mogg’s efforts.

‘What the minister is seeking to achieve is to do everything possible to get the civil service to return to the pre-pandemic level,’ the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.

‘That is what he is seeking to do. That is supported by the Cabinet Secretary and obviously the Prime Minister.’

Jacobs Rees-Mogg, Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency visits the Euro Tunnel

But the Guardian later reported that the country’s most senior civil servant, Simon Case, had in fact privately warned Mr Johnson against forcing officials back to the office.

The newspaper said at least four permanent secretaries were also understood to have voiced concerns about the Government’s rhetoric on the matter

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 – the figure for Ms Dorries’ Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport was 43 per cent.

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.

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