Overview

• PCS members at 21 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government offices began indefinite work-to-rule on June 30, limiting duties strictly to contractual terms
• The Public and Commercial Services union is campaigning against a ban on remote work, the planned closure of six regional offices and the end of location-neutral recruitment
• MHCLG says it will close six offices over the next two years as leases expire, expand four regional hubs and maintain a nationwide presence with all affected staff retaining their roles
• PCS president Martin Cavanagh accused the ministry of bypassing proper consultation, disregarding fair process and alienating its workforce with rigid attendance policies
• The dispute exposes a clash between Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s upcoming right-to-request flexible working reforms and her department’s strict in-office mandate, with Conservative figures seizing on attendance rules rather than pay