Research has shown that over a half of workers in Wales worked at home for some or all of the time between April and June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many are still doing so. This has had a huge impact on almost every aspect of people’s lives, and a consultation by one of the Senedd’s Committee’s aims to find out more.
Following these changes in behaviour, the Welsh Government announced that it is aiming to ‘work with organisations to support a long term shift to more people working remotely’ and it is ‘exploring how a network of community-based remote working hubs, within walking or cycling distance of many people’s homes could be created in communities across Wales.’ The Welsh Government has an ambition for ‘30% of Welsh workers working from home or close to home’ on a regular basis.
Today the Senedd’s Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee is launching an inquiry looking at the significant impacts of increased remote working.
The Committee is exploring the issues created by remote working and is looking at the Welsh Government’s ambitions for a long term shift and its proposals for remote working hubs.
The Committee is examining the effects of remote working on:
- The economy and business
- Town and city centres
- Issues affecting the workforce, and skills
- Health (physical and mental) and wellbeing
- Inequalities between different groups and different parts of Wales (including those areas of with poor connectivity)
- The environment
- The transport network and infrastructure
The Committee will hear from employers, workers and experts from within Wales and the UK but will also look at international examples where similar ambitions have been set.
The impact on public transport
The Committee is also looking at the impact of remote working on our transport network because there has been a major reduction in the use of public transport in Wales compared to before the pandemic.
At its lowest point during the lockdown, use of public transport in Wales was less than 20% of the level at 31 January 2020, and car use was less than 40% of the level at 31 January 2020. The Welsh Government states that “By 3 July 2020 car traffic had reached 80% of pre-lockdown levels while public transport use had only recovered to 30%” and that in July rail footfall in Wales was at around 12-15% of pre-pandemic levels.
“Remote working has dramatically impacted the way many work in Wales, with clear knock on effects. It has also divided opinion.
“It has had a positive effect on the environment, with fewer people driving to work, reducing congestion on the roads and improving air quality.
“However it has been a real challenge for many who may feel isolated and struggle to work from home for a range of reasons.
“The move to home working has also affected a range of businesses. Those who used to rely on the lunch time or after work rush from offices are struggling but I’ve also heard that cafes and coffeeshops away from town and city centres have found new customers as people head to them in their breaks.
“There has also been a severe impact on public transport with the number of bus and rail passengers at a small fraction of this time last year, meaning government is heavily subsidising the network.
“We’re keen to hear from people across Wales affected by remote working and to influence Welsh Government policy as it develops.” - Russell George MS, chair of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee