Downing Street denies reports that working from home is here to stay
Downing Street has denied reports that working from home will be encouraged even after the next round of restrictions are eased next month, saying that no decisions had been made yet.
Politico reported today that ministers will advise people to still work from home where possible in the long run under plans being drawn up by the Cabinet Office.
The leaked document also reportedly said perspex screens that have been widely installed in businesses across the country will be scrapped as they could in fact help speed the spread of Covid-19.
It comes after City A.M. reported weeks ago that ministers were set to take a “gentle” approach in getting people back into offices, unlike last year.
However, Boris Johnson’s spokesman said he “did not recognise” today’s reports and that they “do not reflect the government’s thinking”.
“We need to analyse more data on this variant before any decisions are made,” he said.
It was also reported that the government would enforce standards on ventilation in the workforce, which was also denied.
“There are no plans to legislate on ventilation standards,” he said.
“Ventilation is a mitigating factor [in the spread of Covid], which is why we have launched an advertising campaign making this point.”
The Cabinet Office is putting together a review on social distancing and the future of work, which will be released before the next stage of easing restrictions.
This date was pushed back from 21 June to 19 July on Monday to contain the spread of the Delta variant first found in India.
Business minister Paul Scully told City A.M. last week that it will be up to “personal discretion” whether businesses return to the office later this year.
Footfall around the City of London and other business districts is slowing increasing, however it is nowhere near pre-pandemic levels.
Data from Transport for London (TfL) in late May showed the number of Tube passengers in the City of London was 70 per cent lower than in February 2020.