Survey reveals remote working will continue in London

Almost half (46%) of business leaders in London expect to have over two-fifths of their staff still regularly working remotely in a year’s time, according to a new survey.

The YouGov survey for the London 1000 report from London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and London Councils also found just a third (32%) of business leaders say all of their staff will return to working in-person in a year’s time.

The number of London business leaders saying that 81-100% of their staff will regularly work from home a year from now has doubled (22%) compared to 2019’s figure (11%).

The survey also found 84% of London business leaders are less confident about London’s economy than they were a year ago, and 86% in the UK economy.

And almost two thirds (63%) of businesses say that staff retention has stayed the same since the COVID-19 outbreak, but three in ten (31%) say it has decreased.

Three quarters (78%) of businesses said they are currently taking action to reduce their environmental impact, with tele-commuting or remote working (37%) being the most common way businesses plan to do this.

‘It’s pleasing to see the appetite for that recovery to be an environmentally sustainable one,’ said the chief executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Richard Burge.

‘The large majority of firms have carbon reduction plans underway, and it’s interesting to see how many employers believe that a continuation of some form of remote working each week will play a key part in their carbon reduction efforts.  The likes of flexible rail season tickets could help to support that and a footfall recovery in London’s many high streets.

‘It’s clear that London will come out of this pandemic with a different economy and ways of working than when it went into it.  We need all London players to come together to consider these changes, the opportunities, and how we can best ensure the economic recovery of capital and country,’ added Mr Burge.

London Councils’ executive member for business, europe, and good growth, Cllr Danny Thorpe, added: ‘London’s businesses are facing a turning point, with many of them reviewing their practices as a result. It is great to see that so many of them are focussing on an environmentally sustainable recovery with carbon reduction as a firm feature.

‘London boroughs are calling for reform of the apprenticeship levy to increase the skills and employability of Londoners of all ages. This is especially crucial given that London is facing the highest unemployment rates in the country.’

Photo Credit – Free-Photos (Pixabay)