SOMERSET MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has caused uproar after he left a note to civil servants implying they should be back working in their office.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who represents North East Somerset, deposited the note on empty desks.

It said: "I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon."

He has bene vocal about the need for all civil servants to ditch working from home now that the worst of the pandemic is over.

The note was labelled "condescending, crass and insulting" by FDA general secretary Dave Penman.

Mr Penman told the BBC: "Day after day we have good people telling us they will go because they know this is not about effective working practices.

"They know it's a culture war that some ministers think plays well with their base.

"These notes from JRM are not only condescending, crass and insulting, they completely undermine the leadership of the service."

LibDem MP Helen Morgan called Mr Rees-Mogg's actions "a pointless nasty gesture", while former Conservative MP David Gauke said he did not feel it would "get the best out of civil servants".

But the BBC quoted an unnamed source close to Mr Rees-Mogg as saying it is "very important for the taxpayer and British public that government is working properly and the estate is well used".

Civil servants have been told to return to their offices to ensure government buildings are at full capacity.

Figures released earlier this month showed more than 50 per cent of workers are continuing to work from home despite official advice.