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Department for Education: Remote Working

Asked by Sir John HayesConservativeDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 17 June 2026UIN 7984

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department permits civil servants employed in the UK to work from overseas on a regular basis.

Answered by Olivia Bailey

Ministers do not permit employees to work from overseas on a regular basis. Employees are able to request an exception to work from overseas for a temporary period of time in the following limited circumstances. These include short-term situations, such as bereavement or urgent care responsibilities, where there are no alternatives, when accompanying a Civil Service partner who has been posted overseas for an agreed period of time or a UK Armed Forces or Ministry of Defence civilian partner on an overseas posting, or when working in an official capacity on departmental business.

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