DUNDEE West MP Chris Law has criticised the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over the slow pace of transition to home working for its Dundee workforce, following the publication of new rules on homeworking earlier this week by the Scottish Government.

In a letter to DWP Secretary Therese Coffey, Law highlighted the department’s workforce at Lindsay House as just one area where the transition to home working has been slow.

Whilst many in the workforce were supported to transition to homeworking in March last year, many of those who continued to physically work in the building have yet to be supported, despite promises by senior leadership to the contrary.

Law said: “I have heard from far too many constituents who work for the DWP over the last fortnight concerned about their working conditions and the lack of support given to move to home working. This is causing undue stress and worry on staff who are doing their best to keep this country moving.

“Given the new Scottish Government guidance, and as the rest of the country continues their transition to home working in the face of the rising transmission of Covid-19, I find it astonishing that the DWP is dragging its heels in supporting homeworking for essential staff.

“We know that homeworking is possible – I hope that the DWP will do the right thing.”