New research from the Taxpayers' Alliance alleges that more than 350 civil servants logged in to their jobs while stationed at beach resorts abroad, sparking outrage as public services struggle with funding pressures. The report says the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero alone accounted for over a third of those remote workers, raising questions about the consistency of Whitehall’s remote‑working rules.

350 Civil Servants Logged In from Spain, Greece, Australia and Brazil

The Taxpayers' Alliance (TPA) identified 359 staff members who recorded work hours from holiday destinations across four continents,according to its findings. The group claims these employees were paid their full salaries while enjoying sun‑baked locales, a practice it labels “taxpayer‑funded globe‑trotting.”

Energy Department Supplies More Than One‑Third of the Jet‑Setters

Of the 359 remote workers, 140 were employed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which is led by Ed Miliband. The TPA notes that this single department contributed over 38% of the total beach‑based workforce, suggesting a possible concentration of flexible‑working approvals within one ministerial portfolio.

Science, Business and Transport Follow Behind in Remote Numbers

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology accounted for 96 remote entries , while the Department for Business and Trade logged 83. The Department for Transport reported 19 staff members working from abroad, and the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Defence recorded nine and six respectively. These figures illustrate that the phenomenon is not confined to a single area of government.

Cabinet Office Defends Policy as “Exceptional Circumstances”

The Cabinet Office responded that working from overseas is only permitted in “exceptional circumstances,” such as bereavement or critical trade negotiations. A government spokesperson told The Telegraph that many of the TPA’s numbers include staff who must travel for official duties or who take work equipment on annual leave to ensure business continuity.

Public Sentiment: One‑Fifth of Britons Can’t Afford a Holiday

YouGov data cited by the TPA shows that 20% of Britons lack the funds for an overseas vacation this year,while a third have postponed travel due to soaring air‑fare linked to the Iran conflict and rising jet‑fuel prices. The contrast between household budegts and civil servants’ beach‑side workdays fuels the anger expressed by taxpayers.

Who Really Benefits? The Unanswered Question of Accountability

The report does not disclose the names of the individual civil servants or the exact duration of their remote stints, leaving a gap in accountability.. It also remains unclear how many of these cases were truly “exceptional” versus routine flex‑working arrangements.