Boris Johnson will launch a major push to reduce the number of people working from home amid fears that cities are becoming 'ghost towns'.
By rolling out a series of television and newspaper messages next week, the Government hopes to get Brits back into offices in town and city centres.
It comes after Carolyn Fairbairn, the director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), warned that City centres risk becoming permanent "ghost towns" if staff do not return to the workplace.
But she also added that any push the Government makes should involve a "hybrid" approach that does not force people to return.
Speaking to Times Radio on Thursday, Dame Carolyn said: “This is not about compulsion. I couldn’t say that more strongly.
“This is about creating the opportunity and the confidence to get to a hybrid that gets the best of both worlds. We’re certainly not there yet.
“Number 10 should condemn this briefing and categorically rule out any such campaign.”
Meanwhile, Labour has already criticised the plans as being “unconscionable”.
Coronavirus hits the UK - In pictures
Shadow business minister Lucy Powell said: “It beggars belief that the Government are threatening people like this during a pandemic.
"Forcing people to choose between their health and their job is unconscionable.
“Our offices are at risk of dying. And we would regret that very much if we allowed that to happen.”
A Government spokesperson said: “We are working closely with employers across the country to help them make workplaces Covid secure and give people confidence to go back to work during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Next week we will showcase the benefits of returning safely to work and raise awareness of companies getting this right.
“We’ll also provide practical steps businesses are taking to ensure offices are Covid secure as well as alternative ways of travelling to work.”