Angela Rayner is facing a fresh nightmare as her own staff are set to strike, reportedly voting for the industrial action after being told to work in the office for three days a week. Civil servants working in the Deputy Prime Minister's department, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), took the decision over proposals to close certain offices and “rigid office attendance policies”, the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union told the Telegraph.

It has also been claimed that Ms Rayner’s ministry is limiting which jobs can be done from which offices, and members have reportedly raised concerns over promotion opportunities being restricted. “As the main face of the Employment Rights Bill, the Deputy Prime Minister must match her words with action and listen to her own workers," Fran Heathcote, the general secretary of the PCS. Ms Rayner's proposed legislation includes a right to guaranteed hours and measures to crack down on zero-hour contracts without the offer of work.

In addition, the Bill introduces new restrictions on “fire-and-rehire” processes, when employees are let go and then re-employed on new contracts with worse pay or conditions; and strengthens trade unions and gives workers certain “day one” rights, like sick pay, paternity leave and the right to request flexible working.

Ms Heathcote added that the proposed office closures in Ms Rayners' department “not only threaten the livelihoods of our members but also remove the presence of the government department responsible for local communities from some of the most deprived areas in the country”.

She also said: “Members are deeply concerned about how these closures may affect their ability to rebuild local government, promote regional development and deliver on Labour’s mission to build 1.5m new homes.

“They stand ready to strike to defend their offices, their communities and their employment rights.”

A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “We will continue to engage with unions and staff about a number of proposals – including plans to expand five offices outside of London and close six offices over the next two years, as leases come to an end.

“The department will continue to have offices in every English region as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and all staff affected will be able to continue in their roles in one of these locations.”