MINISTERS have intensified calls for employees to return to their workplaces this week.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay admitted the Government were “keen” for people to stop working from home and get back to the office where possible.

He told the Times Radio: “We are keen to get people back in the office.

“We think that’s best for the economy to get back to normal as part of our recovery.

“The whole purpose of the furlough scheme has been to retain that link between the employee and their business.

“Obviously, people coming back as the furlough scheme starts to unwind, back into the workplace in a more active way.

“So, we are keen to see that take place.”

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The comments follow conflicting comments on the topic from ministers in recent days. Matt Hancock said he had “absolutely no idea” how many people in his department are currently working from home last week.

Barclay defended a Government ad campaign encouraging a return to workplaces.

He said: “It’s part of a wider comms message really which is we need to ensure that workplaces are Covid safe, that businesses take the necessary measures.”

Last week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon maintained she would not pressure people to go back to work.

“I will not countenance in Scotland any kind of narrative around this that is seeking to almost intimidate people back to work before, as a country, we have taken a decision that that is safe,” she said.

Sturgeon admitted yesterday that it was “a worry” to see 123 new cases of the virus recorded.

“While the increase is of course a worry, it is important to note that the positivity rate remains below 1%,” she said.

258 people are in hospital with Covid-19 and five are in intensive care.

No deaths were reported.