MPs told to work from home during rail strikes 'if at all possible' - The Telegraph

Summary

MPs have been told to work from home for the rest of this week “if at all possible” to avoid getting caught up in the train strikes chaos.

They should “consider carefully whether travel is necessary” and try to postpone meetings or move them online, the Commons watchdog has said.

MPs have been told to work from home for the rest of this week “if at all possible” to avoid getting caught up in the train strikes chaos.

They should “consider carefully whether travel is necessary” and try to postpone meetings or move them online, the Commons watchdog has said.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) added those who needed to make trips would be able to claim extra cash for cabs and hotels.

Its advice comes after ministers insisted MPs should set an example as they try to end the pandemic work-from-home culture in the civil service.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the minister for efficiency, has been leading a drive to get more Whitehall mandarins back to their desks.

In a guidance note sent out on Monday afternoon, IPSA said it was aware of “concern” among parliamentarians about the “impact” of the strikes.

“If you normally travel by train, we would advise that you should consider carefully whether travel is necessary during this week and whether planned events can be rescheduled, and that you work and hold meetings remotely if at all possible”, it said.

Rail staff are set to strike on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in a row over pay, with huge disruption expected to last all week as a result.