Coronavirus: Sheffield MP says city employers should show 'basic decency' and abide by lockdown rules

Dozens have raised concerns about their employers demanding they go into work, including those in call centres and civil servants working for the Home Office in Sheffield.

Around 30 people who are defined by the government as being 'at risk' of developing more severe symptoms of coronavirus also contacted MP Louise Haigh over the weekend with the same concerns.

It follows an announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that people should stay inside unless for essential trips such as to get medicine or exercise once a day and only go out for work if absolutely necessary to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Louise Haigh, MP for Heeley, said: "The Home Office really should be setting an example, but instead they are behaving as one of the more irresponsible employers in Sheffield. They need to follow their own instruction and allow staff to work from home, so we protect our NHS and save lives.

"While many businesses across Sheffield are doing the right thing and closing to safeguard staff and our community, I am deeply concerned at reports that other businesses are still forcing their employees to come into work. They need show some basic decency and stop needlessly risking the health of the employees.”

She is planning to write to known businesses still open urging them to let their colleagues work from home and wrote to the chancellor of exchequer earlier this week asking to "tighten the safety net" for at risk workers.

When asked about why Home Office civil servants were still being told to go into work Health secretary Matt Hancock said he will "ensure this is looked into".