BRIT workers will be back in their offices “in a few short months”, Boris Johnson said yesterday.
Speaking at a rail industry conference, the PM dismissed the idea that the lockdown would lead to a permanent shift towards Brits working from home.
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“I know that some people may imagine that all conferences are going be like this, held over Zoom, Teams or what have you and we’ve got to prepare for a new age in which people don’t move around, do things remotely, they don’t commute any more,” Mr Johnson said at the conference held virtually.
“I don’t believe it. Not for a moment. In a few short months, if all goes to plan, we in the UK are going to be reopening our economy.”
Guidance to work from home is in place until at least June 21 across England in a bid to stop the resurgence of Covid cases.
However, the Prime Minister believed that normal work patterns would resume post-lockdown when restrictions are finally lifted.
“And then believe me the British people will be consumed once again with their desire for the genuine face-to-face meeting that makes all the difference to the deal or whatever it is,” he added.
“Never mind seeing our loved ones, going on holiday or whatever.”
The PM’s prediction echos that of Goldman Sachs boss David Solomon who said working from home would never become the “new normal”.
“That’s a temporary thing,” he said in a virtual conference organized by Credit Suisse.
“I do think that for a business like ours, which is an innovative, collaborative apprenticeship culture, this is not ideal for us.”
Publishing its blueprint on February 22, the Government admitted social distancing is “difficult and damaging for businesses” and, as a result, it is important to “return to as near to normal as quickly as possible”.
Its official roadmap document states that ahead of Step 4, the Government will “complete a review of social distancing measures and other long-term measures that have been put in place to limit transmission”.
When Boris announced the third national lockdown at the start of this year, he said people should go to work only if they “absolutely” could not work from home.
It comes after Tory backbenchers urged the government to provide clarity on when staff may be able to return to their desks.
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: “We need to get people back to work as soon as possible.
“There are lots of reasons why work is important to our lives. It affects people’s physical and mental wellbeing and there are issues around productivity.
“I would like to see as much detail as possible in the roadmap to help people to make plans. They need to know in advance.”
