Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of developing work hubs in towns to (a) support remote working and (b) increase opportunity when people apply for work.

The Government recognises that access to flexible working practices, including remote working, is key to helping many workers enter and remain in the labour market. There is currently a legal framework in place that grants all employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service with their employer the statutory right to request flexible working, which includes working remotely.

As part of the Government’s Towns Fund programme, the 101 towns selected for “Town Deals” are each developing their own proposals for investment of up to £25m, or £50m in exceptional circumstances. Regeneration and skills are key themes of the Towns Fund and it is possible that some towns may wish to propose work hubs or similar shared spaces as part of their plans.

In our manifesto we committed to further encouraging flexible working and consulting on making it the default unless employers have good reasons not to.