London ‘busier and busier’ as return to office gathers pace – but demand for flexible working remains May 24, 2023 Great Portland Estates, a leading landlord in office space said London has got “busier and busier,” but noted that it does not expect the the recovery of offices in the capital to be “uniform” as a demand for flexible working and best space remains. Throughout the year, the property firm recorded £55.5m of leasing, as [...]
M&G calls bosses back into the office – and they can’t be TWaTs about it May 14, 2023 Investment firm M&G has called on its managers to get back in the office for three days a week in a bid to boost the morale and development of its junior staff - but they won't be allowed to simply swan in on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Shrinking workforce limiting UK economic growth, MPs warn April 21, 2023 The UK’s shrinking and ageing population is limiting economic growth, with “outdated and static” working practices, MPs have warned. An “exodus” of over-50s from the labour market has worsened shortages, a cross-party House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee report said. Chairman Darren Jones said: “Our shrinking and ageing UK labour market, and [...]
Multi-tasking and burnt-out, but working Brits are sleeping more than they did in the 1970s April 3, 2023 Women are working an average of 13 per cent longer hours compared to the 1970s, while men’s working hours dropped by an average of two per cent, a think tank report has found. Researchers at Onward found, on average, Britain is not working significantly more, as full-time male workers have seen their hours fall by [...]
Could fixing workplace stress save the UK £28bn a year? Axa warns burnout is burning a hole the economy March 29, 2023 People taking sick days because of work-related stress or burnout is costing the UK economy £28 billion a year, according to new research which highlights the financial toll of poor mental wellbeing. More people said they were struggling in the UK than in any other nation, the survey of 30,000 adults across 16 European, Asian [...]
‘Budget for growth’: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt rolls pitch for Spring statement March 14, 2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said his spring statement will be a “budget for growth” as he prepares to set out key measures to support firms and families with the cost of living crisis. Hunt will make his annual budget statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday. He is expected to focus on efforts to [...]
HSBC doubles down on homeworking as Lloyd’s of London pushes for return to City HQ February 26, 2023 HSBC’s and Lloyd’s rival plans for the futures of their London headquarters have revealed a growing split in attitudes towards the long-term prospects of working from home. Lloyd’s of London is reportedly in talks to extend the lease on its iconic City headquarters as it works to bring staff back into the office in resisting [...]
Travers Smith calls juniors into the office for four days a week December 8, 2022 Travers Smith has become the latest City law firm to call lawyers back into the office after telling staff to spend 60 per cent of their time at work. The law firm’s new “agile working” policy calls on Travers Smith’s lawyers to come into the office for six days across every two working weeks. [...]
Excl: London’s offices aren’t dead but will continue to feel Covid side effects ‘in immediate future’ November 21, 2022 Reports of the death of the London office have been greatly exaggerated – but policymakers must step up to ensure workers are encouraged to come to their desks. That’s the conclusion of a new report from Central London Forward, the partnership representing the city’s 12 central local authorities. Although the take-up rate of office space [...]
Exclusive: ‘We’re beyond the point of Pizza Fridays,’ warns City workplace insider November 19, 2022 The City and businesses across the UK have hearing about “digital transformation” for years. But it took the watershed year of 2020 to really highlight just how businesses and organisations need to align technology solutions to their business goals. While the real life test case for digital transformation was playing out in front of our [...]