What Reform has actually put forward.

Yes I agree that for most young people just starting out working with others may be beneficial and that is where choice comes in.
People should be able to decide what works for them and not be forced to work at an office if it isn't essential that they do so.

This Politician saying that workers should be in offices not at home, does he just happen to own, or be involved with, a company that just happens to rent out office accommodation?
Just asking.

It depends on what one does.

Working in open plan environments can be counterproductive due to noise and time wasted on non-work chat.

People working on complex problems need to think. That’s impossible in a noisy environment where interruptions are frequent.

Reform seem to have a problem with people who don’t work while wanting to resist/change initiatives which enable more people to work. They are all so wealthy and privileged, removed from the complex lives and responsibilities that others have to juggle.

Remote working has never been easier, making it possible for people who are disabled, can’t drive, have poor local transport, have social anxiety, caring responsibilities etc to work. It allows businesses to offer services outside of office hours, sometimes 24/7. Better for the environment all round to have less people on the roads each day. But then Reform doesn’t give a damn about the environment.

Reform wants to put up barriers to work and turn the clock back to the 1950s. Why would that be? Perhaps its because Farage “doesn’t do computers” so doesn’t understand the technology that has made remote working possible.

What I do remember from the 1950s and early 1960s is my family doing home assembly work. We assembled ball point pens from their component parts. It enabled my mother, who had been abandoned with two young children, to work and not claim National Assistance. My brother and I helped. We both grew up to have a very strong work ethic but needed our own space away from the distractions of other people. I wonder if that was something to do with it.

Galaxy

And whether I agree or not about the work from home stuff ( I actually think there are compelling arguments on both sides) I can cope with someone putting forward that argument.

I’m genuinely curious. If different working models suit different industries and businesses, what’s the justification for government proscribing two of them? Wouldn’t that remove flexibility and override how companies choose to organise themselves? Is that what you want from a government?

“In 2023, the GB News presenter and former academic [Matt Goodwin] called for the introduction of "a ‘negative child benefit’ tax for those who don’t have offspring".

In other words, those who don’t have children should pay an additional tax as a punishment.

Whatever happened to choice, not to mention the heartbreaking situation of those unable to have children - do they deserve to be ‘punished’ twice?

Absolutely disgusting, despicable little man!

Galaxy

Lots of concerns around young people in particular, lack of social networks when starting work, lack of mentors, etc.
A number of my team started the job during covid ( so all done remotely) they still talk about how awful it was.

My daughter, a civil servant, works from home and loves it, she’s 25, she’s done both, they still attend the office for “big” meetings and for conferences etc and normally also go in one day a week. With Teams and Zoom available and daily morning planning meetings it’s very easy to build rapport with colleagues.

I was a CS too for the 14 years of my working life, for my last 18 months I spent with a national team, none of us had met in person, we built up great working relationships and I’m still in touch with two of them regularly even though I retired back in 2022.

Don’t knock it if you’ve not tried it, it’s not for everyone, but choice, where it’s possible, is a great thing.

LizzieDrip

“In 2023, the GB News presenter and former academic [Matt Goodwin] called for the introduction of "a ‘negative child benefit’ tax for those who don’t have offspring".

In other words, those who don’t have children should pay an additional tax as a punishment.

Whatever happened to choice, not to mention the heartbreaking situation of those unable to have children - do they deserve to be ‘punished’ twice?

Absolutely disgusting, despicable little man!

That’s utterly disgusting, what a despicable odious little man!

Aside from choice, there’s whole swathes of women unable to bear children!

AGAA4

Yes I agree that for most young people just starting out working with others may be beneficial and that is where choice comes in.
People should be able to decide what works for them and not be forced to work at an office if it isn't essential that they do so.

👏👏👏👏

This is one of those situations where one size will never fit all. There is no real 50/50 on views - either it works for a particular role or it doesn't. Of course there can be expectations for everyone to go in 2 days a week for meetings or whatever, but the act of wfh is the same whether it would suit you (generic) me or anyone else. It suited me long before Covid to spend some time wfh, as it meant that I could work uninterrupted by colleagues and students, and power through marking or research. At other times I had to be on site. Obviously for lectures and meetings - few people used Zoom or Teams then - and to be available to students. I was perfectly capable of deciding for myself when to do what, and would have resented someone else thinking they knew better than I did about what was appropriate for me.

As ever, where Farage is concerned I would follow the money. What is his financial interest in office blocks and/or places where office workers shop for coffee and go for lunch? There has to be some reason why he can possibly want a blanket policy for something as varied as 'workplaces in Britain'.

There are comments on news sites from individuals who are clearly jealous of people who have jobs that enable them to wfh - usually couched in 'what about all those who can't do it?' terms that take zero account of logic, and others who take an 'I had to commute for 40 years, so why shouldn't they?' approach, which is equally idiotic. Modern technology allows some people to wfh, so why shouldn't they if they want to?

If someone prefers the social side of working with others, they should be able to go in, and should seek employment that makes it likely that others will do likewise, but if someone else finds that they can get the job done and still be able to make their domestic life work, then they should have that option, too. If for some reason people are unable to find the role that suits them, that is unfortunate, but no reason to deny others the option to do what works for them. Having others work at home reduces the amount of traffic on the roads/passengers on buses and trains, so makes life easier for those who have to be on site in any case.

If the job is not getting done because the worker is at home and not working, that is for management to deal with. I am not suggesting that people should have free rein to laze about, but I think it is important to recognise that not everyone in an office is pulling their weight either. Many discussion boards with younger members are busiest during office hours, and have been for as long as I have been using them (early 2000s). Many people book holidays, order shopping, post on MN (and elsewhere) and more during working hours in the office - skiving is not confined to working from home.

How would Farage impose a ban on wfh anyway? Many workplaces have closed offices or reduced the number of workstations.

I have done both cossy, and am currently in a team that does a mixture. That is why I am discussing the advantages and disadvantages.

My prediction is that many organisations will organise in such a way that some in person working is required, there does seem to be a bit of a shift lately.

It’s when you add together the things he has said that you get a picture of what this candidate actually thinks, rather than isolated bits of his output.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-matt-goodwin-gorton-denton-children-women-b2918340.html
He certainly wouldn’t be somebody I’d vote for in any circumstances.

Reply to Graphite Sun 15-Feb-26 12:28:11
The comparison with the Lebensborn programme is strong language, but it’s worth remembering what that programme represented. It wasn’t simply about encouraging certain families to have children, it was rooted in the belief that culture and national identity were biologically inherited and that some groups were inherently incapable of belonging.

Nazi ideology didn’t just promote racism; it rejected the idea that people could learn, assimilate, or share in a national culture. “Aryan” identity was treated as something carried in blood, not something civic or cultural.

When contemporary political rhetoric implies that national identity or social value is tied to ancestry rather than shared citizenship, it inevitably echoes elements of that thinking. That’s why people react strongly to it.

Whether that's Reform's view, I'm not sure. However, in America we have seen the ICE programme on the one side and stripping out of women's reproductive rights on the other and Reform does seem to be setting out much the same stall.

I'm allowed to work from home a couple of days a week but I've chosen not to because I don't think I can do the job I can do from home as effectively. I'm also called upon to support other teams and/or my own staff.

It is useful though if feel under the weather to work from home remotely but I suppose this brings its own problems wrt not ever fully having a break to rest and recuperate.

It is nice to have the option though

Also, I dislike TEAMS meetings. I think they are fine to discuss certain things but I am always really uncomfortable discussing confidential matters via TEAMS as you don't know who is in the room etc

Doodledog

This is one of those situations where one size will never fit all. There is no real 50/50 on views - either it works for a particular role or it doesn't. Of course there can be expectations for everyone to go in 2 days a week for meetings or whatever, but the act of wfh is the same whether it would suit you (generic) me or anyone else. It suited me long before Covid to spend some time wfh, as it meant that I could work uninterrupted by colleagues and students, and power through marking or research. At other times I had to be on site. Obviously for lectures and meetings - few people used Zoom or Teams then - and to be available to students. I was perfectly capable of deciding for myself when to do what, and would have resented someone else thinking they knew better than I did about what was appropriate for me.

As ever, where Farage is concerned I would follow the money. What is his financial interest in office blocks and/or places where office workers shop for coffee and go for lunch? There has to be some reason why he can possibly want a blanket policy for something as varied as 'workplaces in Britain'.

There are comments on news sites from individuals who are clearly jealous of people who have jobs that enable them to wfh - usually couched in 'what about all those who can't do it?' terms that take zero account of logic, and others who take an 'I had to commute for 40 years, so why shouldn't they?' approach, which is equally idiotic. Modern technology allows some people to wfh, so why shouldn't they if they want to?

If someone prefers the social side of working with others, they should be able to go in, and should seek employment that makes it likely that others will do likewise, but if someone else finds that they can get the job done and still be able to make their domestic life work, then they should have that option, too. If for some reason people are unable to find the role that suits them, that is unfortunate, but no reason to deny others the option to do what works for them. Having others work at home reduces the amount of traffic on the roads/passengers on buses and trains, so makes life easier for those who have to be on site in any case.

If the job is not getting done because the worker is at home and not working, that is for management to deal with. I am not suggesting that people should have free rein to laze about, but I think it is important to recognise that not everyone in an office is pulling their weight either. Many discussion boards with younger members are busiest during office hours, and have been for as long as I have been using them (early 2000s). Many people book holidays, order shopping, post on MN (and elsewhere) and more during working hours in the office - skiving is not confined to working from home.

How would Farage impose a ban on wfh anyway? Many workplaces have closed offices or reduced the number of workstations.

I completely agree. The few people that don’t work hard whilst wfh are the very same people who didn’t work hard when in the office! Easily fixed if they have attentive and professional line managers.

I saw an article about this a few days ago with comments underneath. My favourite was ' I've taken the batteries out of my biological clock and put them in my vibrator' 😂

I think the current pension fiasco (some not receiving pensions until 6 months after retirement) is indicative of the working from home culture. All government depts should work in the office!!!

I think Reform need to rethink what they think is good for the country, which the state it’s in won’t be easy. Instead they pick on certain groups/people which is easy. If they don’t get their own way like Trump they threaten people/instititions. Time to grow up guys stop taking huffy fits.

Glenfinnan

I think the current pension fiasco (some not receiving pensions until 6 months after retirement) is indicative of the working from home culture. All government depts should work in the office!!!

Yes, there is a current pension administration issue affecting some public sector schemes.

No, it’s not a universal UK State Pension problem

The cause is mostly administrative/outsourcing challenges, not “work-from-home”.

Kitty55

I think Reform need to rethink what they think is good for the country, which the state it’s in won’t be easy. Instead they pick on certain groups/people which is easy. If they don’t get their own way like Trump they threaten people/instititions. Time to grow up guys stop taking huffy fits.

Another new far-right party has been formed and there is still talk of Nigel Farage being ill. Interesting times for the far and hard right.

My Sister-in-Law wanted to add her daughter to her current account and was told that this could only be done in person at a branch. However, there were no appointments available until the end of April as "the majority of our staff work from home"

Unsurprisingly she has decided to close her account

That plan, to tax folk who don't have children, is a disgrace.
How do Reform Politicians vote on the abolition of the 2 child cap?
That will tell us how sincere they are about encouraging families.

Love it, Siptree!
How about we just leave women, and their partners, to decide if/ when/ how many children? It seems that the choice of many couples is the two child family, so they can wait until the time is right.
It might be important to start early if you're planning six or more, but...

sundowngirl

My Sister-in-Law wanted to add her daughter to her current account and was told that this could only be done in person at a branch. However, there were no appointments available until the end of April as "the majority of our staff work from home"

Unsurprisingly she has decided to close her account

I find it difficult to understand how working-from-home arrangements would affect the availability of in-branch appointments, given that this service can only be completed in person.

It seems more likely that this is a matter of how branch staffing and appointments are being managed and that is down to management who would take into account both expected need and cost. The WFH people will be getting on with their work.

I wonder if the member of staff who told your sister this leans towards Reform?

DaisyAnneReturns

Glenfinnan

I think the current pension fiasco (some not receiving pensions until 6 months after retirement) is indicative of the working from home culture. All government depts should work in the office!!!

Yes, there is a current pension administration issue affecting some public sector schemes.

No, it’s not a universal UK State Pension problem

The cause is mostly administrative/outsourcing challenges, not “work-from-home”.

Yes, the pension schemes in question are outsourced to Capita, a firm which manages a lot of essential services for both public and private sectors.

Newly retired Civil servants have not received their pensions for months. Whether or not that is due to working from home I do not know.

When the pensions were dealt with in house it was inefficient even then; I did not receive my pension for six months after I retired.