COVID-19: People working from home in the UK more than doubled when the pandemic struck – but at what cost? | Economic news

The proportion of people working from home (WFH) more than doubled last year as rules over the coronavirus crisis tore UK workplaces apart, official figures show.

The data, compiled from an Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey, showed that 25.9% – or 8.4 million people – were performing tasks from their place of residence at some point. given of the week with which they were consulted.

The figure compares to 12.4% in 2019.

It was a time when COVID-19[female[feminine had yet to emerge in Europe, although the ramifications of the public health emergency have since sparked fierce debate over the future of the workplace.

Live updates as lockdown got easier in England, Wales and Scotland

Those who were put on leave last year – nearly nine million in April and May, as lockdowns forced much of the economy into hibernation – were not included in the survey.

Indeed, they were not able to work according to the rules of eligibility for the job maintenance program.

The report states that the groups with the highest rates of homework in the last year are “women, those working in information and communication, those who live or work in London and those who work in London. exercise liberal professions ”.

Data showed that 46.4% of those employed in London reported working from home at some point in 2020.

Richmond-upon-Thames recorded the highest proportion, at 70.7%, with just 13.7% working at Middlesbrough WFH.

South Ayrshire came in with the lowest proportion at 9.1%.

The ONS said people working in accommodation and food services were among the least likely to work from home, with just 11.4% of people reporting working from home.

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