Civil Servants Begin Indefinite Industrial Action Over London, Regional Office Closures

Civil servants working for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have launched indefinite industrial action in protest against the closure of six offices, rigid office attendance policies, and the withdrawal of location-neutral recruitment. The offices set to close include Birmingham, Exeter, Newcastle, Sheffield, Truro, and Warrington, with staff opposing a ban on working from home amid Labour's reforms supporting flexible working. The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) criticized the government for a lack of proper consultation and called for negotiation, highlighting the contradiction of closing offices while enforcing mandatory attendance. The MHCLG responded that closures are due to lease expirations and that four other offices outside London will expand, ensuring continued regional presence. Conservative shadow chancellor Alex Burghart condemned the strikes, arguing civil servants should be expected to work from offices like other workers and urging Labour to choose between supporting unions or taxpayers. The dispute reflects broader tensions around workplace policies, flexible working rights, and public sector cost management.