The Chief Minister said he was ’all for’ government staff working from home - so long as services to the public are not damaged.

In Tynwald he was asked what the government’s policy is on homeworking and whether all workers will be called back to offices.

Howard Quayle said the government was committed to supporting employees working from home where practical.

Most public servants who were home working during lockdown have now returned their workplace.

But the Chief Minister said he did not expect that all home working staff would be recalled back to the office on a full-time basis.

He said some staff would be allowed to work from home on a part-time basis - so long as that works for them, the government and the taxpayer.

Mr Quayle promised to look into any concerns that public services are not being delivered as an officer is working for home.

New MHK for Douglas South Claire Christian asked if the economic impact of homeworking has been considered.

Mr Quayle replied ’This is an evolving situation and we just have to accept that. I think it’s a change for the good where we can enable people to work from home.

’The evidence so far shows that the person tends to give good results, improved results and they can maybe juggle their family life around their work better.

’So I’m all for it as long as the service to the public is not damaged as a result of this.’

A report to Tynwald in July suggested the opportunity should be seized to increase homeworking as part of the government’s climate emergency response.

The Covid lockdown led to 35% of island employees working from home, resulting in a significant cut in the use of cars, accelerating delivery ’beyond all expectations’ of the government’s action plan to achieve net zero emissions, notes the report.