Although working from home has surged since the covid lockdowns, new research has revealed this hasn’t significantly changed where people live, or helped spread talent more evenly across the country.
Led by the University of Southampton, in collaboration with the University of St Andrews, University of Birmingham, De Montfort University, and the University of the Arts London, the research found most home workers still follow hybrid patterns, staying within reach of major employment hubs.
The findings show that just over 52% of workers in the UK never work from home, but among high-skilled workers, this figure is 29%. The majority of those who work from home do so in a hybrid pattern, with at least some days spent in the office.
Professor Jackie Wahba, from the University of Southampton and lead of the study, said: “Working from home is now a normal part of working life, with the potential to change where and how people work. It could offer major benefits, giving both employers and workers more choice and flexibility. But to achieve this, we must tackle key obstacles to residential mobility. It was widely believed that working from home would let high-skilled workers move further from their employers, opening up opportunities for less wealthy areas. But so far, it remains most common among higher earners in a few sectors, mostly near London and other major cities."
The study also found that when high-skilled workers change where they live, housing needs tend to be the driver, rather than jobs. This suggests the idea that working from home will allow lagging regions to attract high earners has yet to materialise, and in fact may not be realised at all. Co-funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the project warns that without stronger policy action, working from home may even deepen regional divides.
Anne Green, Professor of Regional Economic Development at City-REDI, University of Birmingham, said: “Hybrid working patterns are still evolving in Birmingham, with the business district adapting to demand for collaboration space. The city is attempting to retain and attract high-skilled talent while addressing entrenched deprivation and economic inactivity. Inclusive growth has become a guiding principle, but as is the case for many cities outside of London, progress will depend on deeper collaboration across local and regional stakeholders.”
Professor Wahba, added: “We need investment in transport links, fast broadband, schools, healthcare, green spaces, cultural venues, and affordable housing are as important as providing flexible work options in drawing and retaining skilled workers. Working from home isn’t yet bridging the gap between regions. Policymakers, businesses, and local leaders need to act to ensure that job flexibility does not exacerbate inequality but is harnessed to support real, long-term regional growth.”
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