“Hollowed out” risk to city-centre from home-working, warns mayor
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has warned that London “cannot afford” to end up as a city where “the centre has been hollowed out” as a result of people working from home. Speaking at an event hosted by the consultancy firm Project Leaders, the mayor outlined his concerns about the decline in office working after the pandemic, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.
He called on employers to encourage more staff back to the office to avoid the risk of the centre being “hollowed out.” He also suggested that firms have a duty to find ways to make it more appealing for employees to work in the office.
It comes amid flexible working arrangements which allow members of staff to work from home are either being limited or ending entirely by some employers whose offices are based in London.
Sir Sadiq said at the event, he expressed concerns about young graduates entering their first jobs post-pandemic. They may fail to strike up connections with colleagues or acquire necessary skills as a result of working from home. London businesses, he added, needed to think “very carefully” before they decide to reduce office space, and consider any long-term impact on staff.
London is not alone, the mayor stressed, in having failed to return to pre-pandemic commuting levels. It has been a challenge for many cities worldwide.
This comes after moves from a number of companies in the capital to restrict or end remote working policies. These include Amazon, the Metropolitan Police, and global communications company WPP. For some firms, incentives are being given to employees to motivate them back into the office.
The rise in remote-working has also impacted TfL’s revenue from fares as far fewer people are making daily commutes.
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