Decline in number of jobs offering remote work could hinder efforts to get more people into work

A significant decrease in the availability of jobs offering fully remote work in the UK is a potential obstacle to government plans to boost employment, according to research from the Work Foundation at Lancaster University. The study, part of a large mixed-methods research project examining remote and hybrid working among disabled workers, surveyed more than 1,200 people. Around 85 percent of respondents said access to remote or hybrid work was essential or very important when looking for a new job, and nearly half said they would prefer to work fully remotely.

However, analysis of job vacancy data indicates that in 2024–25 just over 4 percent of advertised roles were fully remote, around half the proportion recorded at the height of pandemic restrictions. The researchers suggest that while hybrid working remains more common than before 2020, the availability of fully remote roles has declined markedly.

The findings raise questions about the alignment between employment policy and labour market practice. The Government’s Get Britain Working agenda aims to increase labour market participation, particularly among groups with lower employment rates, including disabled people and those with long term health conditions. The report suggests that a contraction in remote opportunities could limit progress towards these objectives.

Participants in the research described remote and hybrid arrangements as critical to managing health conditions, reducing commuting barriers and sustaining employment. For some, fully remote work was presented not as a preference but as a requirement to remain in work.

The study also points to a shift in employer policies, with more organisations encouraging or requiring increased office attendance. Researchers argue that clearer communication of flexible options in job advertisements and stronger support for reasonable adjustments could help widen access to employment.