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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Danny Atherton

Workers 'should return to offices' as restrictions ease

Workers are being urged to return to offices as soon as restrictions are eased on July 19.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak says he wants as many people as possible, especially young people to return to normal work.

The Chancellor said working remotely during the pandemic had disadvantaged young workers, as face-to-face interaction is valuable.

Read More: Glasses smashed and 'pubs close on street' as group refuse to leave

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, he said: "I think for young people, especially that ability to be in your office, be in your workplace and learn from others more directly, is something that's really important and I look forward to us slowly getting back to that.”

Mr Sunak did say the final decision would rest with companies themselves. He said: “Ultimately I trust people and businesses to make decisions for themselves.”

The move is also set to have a huge economic impact on businesses such as cafes that rely on custom from office workers.

There had been widespread concern about the financial impact people working from home was having on these types of businesses.

However, despite the chancellor's urges for people to return to work there is a severe warning about the number of workers who could have to quarantine in the lead up to restrictions being scrapped for those fully vaccinated on August 16.

It has also raised red flags with unions who have concerns about the general lack of guidance for employees to safely return.

Trades Union Congress, general secretary, Frances O'Grady said in a report by the Daily Mail: “We all want working life to get back to business as usual.

“But as restrictions are lifted and increasing numbers return to their workplaces, it is crucial that we get workplace safety right, and give workers and members of the public confidence.”

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