Government fraud-busters face being stripped of their swish office suite — because too many of them work from home

GOVERNMENT fraud-busters face being stripped of their swish office suite — because too many of them work from home.

Ministers told officers to find a smaller, less costly HQ preferably outside London.

The move comes amid anger at Whitehall’s WFH culture.

Cabinet Office Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, demanded it after being asked to renew the lease on the Serious Fraud Office HQ near Trafalgar Square.

A source said: “It appears his predecessor had refused to renew it.

“It’s ludicrous taxpayers fork out for prime estate when so many of the staff are working from home.”

The SFO has 500 staff and the office above the Canadian High Commission is said to cost £250,000 a year.

A worker said: “It’s perhaps the only place you can gaze out the window and eyeball Nelson.”

Mr Rees-Mogg was said to be stunned to see so many empty desks during a visit.

He renewed the lease for three months but told officials to come up with a plan to move.