Advertisement

Wales' remote work message at odds with calls to return to offices

CWMBRAN, WALES - AUGUST 03: First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford visits Page's fish and chip shop restaurant on August 3, 2020 in Cwmbran, Wales. Coronavirus lockdown measures continue to be eased as the number of excess deaths in Wales falls below the five-year average. From today up to 30 people can meet outdoors and pubs, restaurants and cafes can open to customers indoors. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford visits Page's fish and chip shop restaurant on August 3, 2020 in Cwmbran, Wales. He concluded the move to higher levels of home-working could drive regeneration and economic activity. Photo: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

The Welsh government has said that around 30% of workers in the nation could regularly work from home, even after the pandemic has ended.

At odds with UK central government messaging to get back to work, Welsh ministers have said working remotely has had positive benefits.

The devolved parliament said it would seek to drive “changes to Wales’s working culture” to drive productivity and promote a healthy work-life balance.

Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford concluded the move could drive regeneration and economic activity through people spending money in their communities.

Other benefits to working from home that the Welsh government cited were a green dividend through a sharp drop in congestion on roads.

The Welsh government said: “The intention is to develop a hybrid workplace model, where staff can work in the office, at home, or in a hub location.”

READ MORE: Brexit: Key facts ahead of next week's talks

Deputy Minister for Transport and Economy, Lee Waters said: "The UK government instruction for everyone to go back to the office is not one we are repeating in Wales.

"We believe many people will want to continue to work remotely in the longer term and this could be a step-change in the way we work in Wales."

These plans have been released despite calls from industry groups to rally people back to offices.

Shopkeepers have warned that many shops will go under unless regular working patterns resume.

In reports on Tuesday Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said: “Unless businesses and government can successfully persuade office workers back into city and town centres, some high street retailers will be unable to afford their fixed costs.

“Government will need to act fast or September will see more shops close and more job losses realised,” she said.

READ MORE: Philip Green's Arcadia in U-turn to pay full salaries for staff facing redundancy