Is this the future of work? Civil service pioneers ‘drop-in’ offices in 10 cities
CIVIL servants are to be offered “drop-in” offices in a fresh sign that part-time working from home is here to stay in Whitehall.
Sources yesterday said the Government has signed a deal with an office specialist to provide “hybrid” work spaces in 10 cities around the UK.
The multi-million pound agreement with IWG will allow thousands of workers to split their working hours between their homes and temporary desks.
It follows Government plans to relocate many civil servants outside of London.
This forms part of Boris Johnson’s drive to “level up” the country by spreading investment and job opportunities to other regions.
But the move is likely to intensify concerns that many staff who have got used to home working during the pandemic will permanently stay away from city centres – with a damaging impact on the local economy.
Department for Work and Pensions officials are among those expected to be given access to “hybrid” office spaces under the deal.
A DWP spokesman yesterday declined to comment on any commercial contract arrangements but confirmed officials were “exploring the potential” of hybrid working and examining a number of “temporary sites”.
He said: “Any decisions on contracts will be available on the gov.uk website.” IWG also refused to comment on reports of the deal, although industry insiders said it had been concluded.
Tax campaigners applauded the move as a way to cut Whitehall costs.
Joe Ventre, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers will welcome efforts to move government jobs out of London.
“Cutting down on office costs in the capital and reducing the number of London-weighted wage packets would result in a huge saving.
“Ministers should continue to look for ways to keep down the costs of the civil service.” Mark Dixon, chief executive and founder of IWG, has trumpeted the benefits of hybrid working.
He said: “Research has shown time and again that hybrid work is very popular with employees. “They enjoy being able to work a mix of from home, at an office closer to home and occasionally from a corporate HQ. Employees have realised they have been wasting an hour or two commuting to an office that they don’t need to be in. A hybrid model means happier and more engaged employees.”
Data from IWG shows demand for office space in suburbs has risen by 32 per cent, while city centre inquiries are down 10 per cent.