The Government should embrace the transformation of working life

sir – Should a Conservative Government not trust the people and their employers to use wisely the savings made in time and money by not commuting or maintaining office space? The enormous gains – in my case, two hours and £10.50 a day – should not be ignored just to save the likes of Pret a Manger.

The future world in which most “office” workers actually work from home most of the time is to be welcomed, not feared, by the Government. The economy will find new jobs for the coffee-shop workers, and new uses for office buildings. Just as I have found that coffee made at home using higher-quality ingredients tastes better and is cheaper, small gains will be dispensed on a massive scale by this transformation.

William Fisher

Theydon Bois, Essex

sir – While local shops and businesses have benefited from people working from home, those near offices and workplaces have seen income decline.

As home working becomes increasingly popular, the conversion of offices to homes would create new villages in city centres and boost the surrounding economies. The need to commute would decline, as would the associated costs, stress and pollution.

Bob Stebbings

Chorleywood, Hertfordshire

sir – Lampposts in our high street sport posters saying “Welcome back to the high street” and others saying “Please leave the high street as soon as you have finished shopping”. There is also confusion over face masks: first we were told they were ineffective, now we will have to wear them to shop. I will continue to shop online.

Currently, having a group of socially distanced friends in the garden for a beer is closer to the old atmosphere of a pub, where you now have to struggle with mobile-phone apps and QR codes. Until we have a vaccine, high streets and pubs will suffer.

Mike Penberth

Soham, Cambridgeshire

sir – I agree with Christine Whittemore (Letters, July 14) about the need to browse in shops. I have to feel clothes before I buy them. When browsing, I often find bargains and buy more than I had anticipated, which ultimately increases the Treasury’s purse.

Shopping at present, which involves being herded in and out as quickly as possible, is not conducive to spending and improving the economy.

Barbara Robinson

Minehead, Somerset

sir – I have been trying for some months now to open a new business account with my bank, Lloyds, but am advised in a recorded message that, due to Covid-19, no new business accounts are being opened online, over the telephone or in person at a branch.

How can the Government ever hope to see an economic regeneration with such a lack of cooperation from banks?

Andrew Segal

Hampton, Middlesex