Jacob Rees-Mogg blasts lazy British workers: Minister backs Liz Truss's call for workers who show 'more graft'

  • Minister for Government Efficiency rallied against working from home culture 
  • Ms Truss was heard criticising the British work ethic in audio recording 
  • She had suggested that people lacked 'skill and application' of foreign workers

Jacob Rees-Mogg has backed Liz Truss following her controversial comments that British workers needed 'more graft'.

The Minister for Government Efficiency defended the Tory leadership frontrunner as he railed against the 'rotten culture' of working from home.

In an audio recording leaked last week, Ms Truss was heard criticising the British work ethic, suggesting people lacked the 'skill and application' of foreign workers.

Mr Rees-Mogg said: 'Liz Truss's sensible comments about poor productivity in the British economy attracted confected political criticism but they reflect an unfortunate reality in much of the British state.

'This is not good for the Government, or for the public as a whole.'

The Minister for Government Efficiency defended the Tory leadership frontrunner as he railed against the 'rotten culture' of working from home

The Minister for Government Efficiency defended the Tory leadership frontrunner as he railed against the 'rotten culture' of working from home

He revealed that the number of staff in Whitehall was down five per cent last week against the previous week despite his drive to get more civil servants in the office.

Mr Rees-Mogg added that the number was below pre-pandemic levels, saying: 'Even accounting for summer holidays, this is hopeless.'

Asked whether he would be Miss Truss's Levelling Up Secretary, a source close to Mr Rees-Mogg expressed surprise, suggesting he was unaware of such a move.

Michael Gove held the position before he was sacked by Boris Johnson in one of his last acts before he resigned as prime minister. Greg Clark now holds the post.

On Friday, Mr Gove took his revenge by backing Rishi Sunak, the former Chancellor who brought about Mr Johnson's downfall, while announcing his expected retirement from frontline politics.

He declared that the campaign by Liz Truss had been a 'holiday from reality' and that her tax plans would put top executives before the poor.

On Friday, Mr Gove took his revenge by backing Rishi Sunak, the former Chancellor who brought about Mr Johnson's downfall, while announcing his expected retirement from frontline politics

On Friday, Mr Gove took his revenge by backing Rishi Sunak, the former Chancellor who brought about Mr Johnson's downfall, while announcing his expected retirement from frontline politics

Writing in The Times, Mr Gove said that Mr Sunak would provide millions of people with the support that they needed during the cost of living crisis.

He also announced that he did not expect to be in the Government again but said it had been the 'privilege of my life' to serve in the Cabinet for 11 years.

His comments raised questions about his future plans, although sources denied rumours he could become editor of The Times.

He was a journalist at the paper and is on friendly terms with proprietor Rupert Murdoch.

Team Truss have blamed Mr Gove for the paper's decision to back Mr Sunak although a source close to him denied he had any influence.

This week the leadership candidates face levelling up-themed hustings in Norwich and Birmingham.

Writing in The Times, Mr Gove said that Mr Sunak would provide millions of people with the support that they needed during the cost of living crisis

Writing in The Times, Mr Gove said that Mr Sunak would provide millions of people with the support that they needed during the cost of living crisis

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.