Copy article

Small business owners have hit back at Reform leader Nigel Farage's vow to end work from home culture: "We risk shutting out individuals with valuable skills"

ended 11. February 2026

SMALL business owners have hit back at Reform leader Nigel Farage's vow to end work from home culture saying “we risk shutting out individuals with valuable skills”.

He has claimed that employees are “more productive being with other fellow human beings”.

Farage told 2,000 supporters at a rally in Birmingham yesterday that the UK needed an “attitudinal change to hard work, rather than work-life balance”.

He said: "You can't go on the sick because you've got mild anxiety. But it is an attitudinal change that Britain needs. An attitudinal change to hard work, rather than work-life balance.

“An attitudinal change to the idea of working from home. People aren't more productive working at home – it's a load of nonsense. They're more productive being with other fellow human beings and working as part of a team.”

Jane Dyer, Workplace Wellbeing Consultant at Tudor Rose Services Ltd, said there are benefits and negatives to working from home.

She added: "While working in a team with others around you, there are benefits for learning and creativity. Working from home can also lead to isolation for some. A big benefit of working from home though, is that it opens up access to work for many. such as the disabled, those geographically isolated, those with caring responsibilities. 

“It can reduce sickness absences and enable higher productivity, being able to work around health, family or caring responsibilities. With a flexible approach, business priorities can be met, while looking after peoples life balance. Increasing company loyalty. One size doesn't fit all, flexibility enables all.”

Scott Taylor-Barr, Principal Adviser at Leicester-based Barnsdale Financial Management, said his business is fully remote.

He added: "Barnsdale Financial Management is, and was set-up to be, a remote business. We don't have the expense of an office, and we allow team members to work where they are most productive; be that at home, or their local coffee shop, or anywhere else. 

"It works really well and allows us to hire the absolute best talent based on their ability, not their geography – I want to work with the best, not just the best in my area. The thought of forcing everyone to drag themselves through rush hour traffic to an office and then fight their way back out again to get home, feels archaic. 

"If you're at your most productive at 9pm, then great, do your work then and take some time during the day to do the school run, or go to the gym whilst it's quieter, trying to cram everyone's work and social lives into the same rigid routine benefits very few."

Rachel Pearson, Director at Account-ant Yorkshire Limited, said working from home means you can care for others too.

She added: “I wholeheartedly disagree with the opinion of Mr Farage. Working from home has enabled me to work around my caring responsibilities. I have contributed to the wealth of the country by working from home. I have supported other small businesses and therefore boosted the economy. Working at home enables those who may not be able to get to an office to contribute to society and earn a living. 

"Working at home does take discipline. But I actually find that when I don't have meetings and I can just get my head down and get on with what I need to do, I am vastly more productive than I ever was in an office environment. Many countries around the world have seen a vast improvement in other areas of society as a result of a move towards work/life balance being paramount. 

"The NHS cannot afford more people suffering from work anxiety and stress. I believe forcing people back into an office environment and a 9am to 5pm culture would cause a rise in sick leave.”

Ken James, Director at London-based Contractor Mortgage Services, said we are stronger working together.

He added: "Farage's comments reignite the ongoing national debate around remote working, Beyond the politics, his comments tap into a deeper and more complex issue, the human need for contact and community. The pandemic reshaped how millions work, and for many, remote working brought flexibility and balance. 

"There is growing discussion about the unseen cost of isolation. Humans are social by nature. Connection, shared purpose and daily interaction are not luxuries, they are fundamental to wellbeing. Being physically present with others can create accountability, belonging and support things that are harder to replicate through screens. 

“The real question may not be whether people should work from home or not but whether Britain has underestimated the psychological value of simply being together.”

Antonia Medlicott, Founder & MD at London-based Investing Insiders, said forcing people into an office excludes some people.

She added: "Being a fully remote business, without an office, has allowed us not only to lower our overheads, but to hire staff from all over the country. We're not tied to recruiting from the local area. 

"It's also allowed us to bring team members into our business who, for various caring and health reasons, might not otherwise be able to work full-time or possibly at all. When we exclude people from the workplace simply because they need flexibility, we risk shutting out individuals with valuable skills, experience and knowledge. 

“That’s bad for individuals, bad for household incomes, bad for the UK’s ability to grow and prosper, and ultimately terrible for government tax revenues too.

Colette Mason, Author & AI Consultant at London-based Clever Clogs AI, said Farage's framing of the argument is unhelpful.

She added: "Farage is right about one thing: people can learn faster together. Graduates and apprentices need deskside help, not just Zoom calls. And yes, our high streets are dying partly because offices emptied. Those are real problems. But framing loathing a two-to-four hour daily commute as ‘laziness’ or ‘anxiety’ isn't helpful. 

"Why spend thousands a year on travel passes, two hours each way on a packed train with no seat? That's not productivity, that's endurance. I left corporate contracts before Covid mainly because the commute from Zone 6 to Zone 1 was soul-crushing and I felt the time would be better spent on productive work. The honest answer is messier than a rally soundbite. 

“Some work needs presence. Some doesn't. The businesses getting this right aren't forcing everyone back or letting everyone hide. They're designing when presence matters and protecting the rest. Clinging onto an old school power structure doesn't seem to apply much common sense to the modern world of work.”

Kate Underwood, Founder at Southampton-based Kate Underwood HR and Training, said you can't measure productivity through mandatory office work.

She added: “Forcing everyone back to the office isn’t leadership. It’s control dressed up as ‘culture’. I disagree with Farage. Bums on seats doesn’t measure productivity or who makes the most tea rounds. Its results. Deadlines hit. Customers happy. Work done well. Many people can deliver more at home without the commute, noise, and constant interruptions. 

"For UK small businesses, hybrid isn’t a fluffy perk. It’s a recruitment and retention edge, and a sanity-saver for parents, carers and disabled staff. Scrap it overnight, and you’ll lose good people fast. Also, legal reality check: employees can request flexible working from day one. 

"A blanket ‘everyone back in’ rule can trigger indirect discrimination headaches (especially sex and disability) and a stack of grievances. Yes, some roles need face time. Fine. Make it role-based, with clear expectations and anchor days. But calling WFH ‘nonsense’ is nonsense. Set outputs and standards, then manage performance. Don’t manage by postcode.”

Mitali Deypurkaystha, Human-First AI Strategist & Author at Newcastle upon Tyne-based Impact Icon AI, criticised Farage.

She added: "If workplace presence is the gold standard, then Farage should start with his own place of work: Parliament and his constituency, Clacton. It’s hard to lecture millions about ‘attitudinal change’ while spending limited time on the attitudinal basics of representation. 

"You can’t condemn remote work while ‘working’ remotely yourself. Perhaps Farage should be more productive with the residents of Clacton?"

Though Kundan Bhaduri, Entrepreneur at London-based The Kushman Group, praised Farage.

He added: "Nigel Farage is absolutely right. The public sector's Pyjama Party is bankrupting Britain. The shrieks of indignation from the Civil Service unions were entirely predictable. But for the taxpayer who has spent the last few years watching public services crumble while the tax burden hits a post-war high, Farage’s proposal is refreshingly different. 

"Since the ‘temporary’ measures of 2020 became the permanent entitlement of 2026, public sector productivity has flatlined while the private sector has had to hustle to survive. For far too long the government has created a two-tier economy where the wealth creators are back in the office driving growth, while the cost centres of the state, the administrative staff are logging in from the sofa. 

"Quite rightly, the UK cannot compete as a G7 nation if our administrative engine room is running on Zoom calls and intermittent WiFi. Get your pants on and get back to the office."

 


 

10 responses from the Newspage community

Copy all

Copy

Editor
Samuel Mather-Holgate
Managing Director & IFA at Mather and Murray Financial
It’s ironic that someone who never goes into his office calls for everyone to work from one. Idiots like this, who jump on a populist bang wagon, need to be ignored not embraced. Do your job!
Copy

Editor
Kate Underwood
Founder & Chief People Strategist at Kate Underwood HR and Training
Forcing everyone back to the office isn’t leadership. It’s control dressed up as ‘culture’. I disagree with Farage. Bums on seats doesn’t measure productivity or who makes the most tea rounds. Its results. Deadlines hit. Customers happy. Work done well. Many people can deliver more at home without the commute, noise, and constant interruptions. For UK SMEs, hybrid isn’t a fluffy perk. It’s a recruitment and retention edge, and a sanity-saver for parents, carers and disabled staff. Scrap it overnight, and you’ll lose good people fast. Also, legal reality check: employees can request flexible working from day one. A blanket “everyone back in” rule can trigger indirect discrimination headaches (especially sex and disability) and a stack of grievances. Yes, some roles need face time. Fine. Make it role-based, with clear expectations and anchor days. But calling WFH “nonsense” is nonsense. Set outputs and standards, then manage performance. Don’t manage by postcode.
Copy

Editor
Antonia Medlicott
Founder & MD at Investing Insiders
Being a fully remote business, without an office, has allowed us not only to lower our overheads, but to hire staff from all over the country. We're not tied to recruiting from the local area. It's also allowed us to bring team members into our business who, for various caring and health reasons, might not otherwise be able to work full-time or possibly at all.

When we exclude people from the workplace simply because they need flexibility, we risk shutting out individuals with valuable skills, experience and knowledge. That’s bad for individuals, bad for household incomes, bad for the UK’s ability to grow and prosper, and ultimately terrible for government tax revenues too.
Copy

Editor
Ken James
Director at Contractor Mortgage Services
Hard Work and the Human Connection? The Debate Britain should not ignore, Farage feels that People aren't more productive working at home and that it's a load of nonsense. His comments reignite the ongoing national debate around remote working, Beyond the politics, his comments tap into a deeper and more complex issue, the human need for contact and community. The pandemic reshaped how millions work, and for many, remote working brought flexibility and balance. There is growing discussion about the unseen cost of isolation. Humans are social by nature. Connection, shared purpose and daily interaction are not luxuries, they are fundamental to wellbeing. Being physically present with others can create accountability, belonging and support things that are harder to replicate through screens. The real question may not be whether people should work from home or not but whether Britain has underestimated the psychological value of simply being together.
Copy

Editor
Mitali Deypurkaystha
AI Governance Strategist & CMO at AISensa
Just 46 Commons speeches in his first year and zero face-to-face constituency surgeries. That’s a curious calling card for someone demanding Britain clocks back into the office. If workplace presence is the gold standard, then Farage should start with his own place of work: Parliament and his constituency, Clacton. It’s hard to lecture millions about ‘attitudinal change’ while spending limited time on the attitudinal basics of representation. You can’t condemn remote work while "working" remotely yourself. Perhaps Farage should be more productive with the residents of Clacton?
Copy

Kundan Bhaduri
Entrepreneur, Investor and Landlord at The Kushman Group
Nigel Farage is absolutely right. The public sector's Pyjama Party is bankrupting Britain. The shrieks of indignation from the Civil Service unions were entirely predictable. But for the taxpayer who has spent the last few years watching public services crumble while the tax burden hits a post-war high, Farage’s proposal is refreshingly different.

Since the "temporary" measures of 2020 became the permanent entitlement of 2026, public sector productivity has flatlined while the private sector has had to hustle to survive.

For far too long the government has created a two-tier economy where the wealth creators are back in the office driving growth, while the cost centres of the state, the administrative staff are logging in from the sofa.

Quite rightly, the UK cannot compete as a G7 nation if our administrative engine room is running on Zoom calls and intermittent WiFi. Get your pants on and get back to the office.
Copy

Rachel Pearson
Director at Account-ant Yorkshire Limited
I wholeheartedly disagree with the opinion of Mr Farage.

Working from home has enabled me to work around my caring responsibilities.

I have contributed to the wealth of the country by working from home.

I have supported other small businesses and therefore boosted the economy.

Working at home enables those who may not be able to get to an office to contribute to society and earn a living.

Working at home does take discipline.

But I actually find that when I don't have meetings and I can just get my head down and get on with what I need to do I am vastly more productive than I ever was in an office environment.

Many countries around the world have seen a vast improvement in other areas of society as a result of a move towards work/life balance being paramount.

The NHS (in my opinion) cannot afford more people suffering from work anxiety and stress. I believe forcing people back into an office environment and a 9am to 5pm culture would cause a rise in sick leave.
Copy

Colette Mason
AI Ethics Consultant at Clever Clogs AI
Farage is right about one thing: people can learn faster together. Graduates and apprentices need deskside help, not just Zoom calls. And yes, our high streets are dying partly because offices emptied. Those are real problems.

But framing loathing a two-to-four hour daily commute as "laziness" or "anxiety" isn't helpful.

Why spend thousands a year on travel passes, two hours each way on a packed train with no seat? That's not productivity, that's endurance.

I left corporate contracts before Covid mainly because the commute from Zone 6 to Zone 1 was soul-crushing and I felt the time would be better spent on productive work.

The honest answer is messier than a rally soundbite. Some work needs presence. Some doesn't. The businesses getting this right aren't forcing everyone back or letting everyone hide. They're designing when presence matters and protecting the rest.

Clinging onto an old school power structure doesn't seem to apply much common sense to the modern world of work.
Copy

Scott Taylor-Barr
Principal Adviser at Barnsdale Financial Management
Barnsdale Financial Management is, and was set-up to be, a remote business. We don't have the expense of an office, and we allow team members to work where they are most productive; be that at home, or their local coffee shop, or anywhere else. It works really well and allows us to hire the absolute best talent based on their ability, not their geography - I want to work with the best, not just the best in my area. The thought of forcing everyone to drag themselves through rush hour traffic to an office and then fight their way back out again to get home, feels archaic. If you're at your most productive at 9pm, then great, do your work then and take some time during the day to do the school run, or go to the gym whilst it's quieter, trying to cram everyone's work and social lives into the same rigid routine benefits very few.
Copy

Jane Dyer
Workplace Wellbeing Consultant at Tudor Rose Services Ltd (TA - Tudor Rose Workplace Wellbeing Consultancy)
While working with in a team with others around you, there are benefits for learning and creativity. Working from home can also lead to isolation for some.

A big benefit of working from home though, is that it opens up access to work for many. such as the disabled, those geographically isolated, those with caring responsibilities. It can reduce sickness absences and enable higher productivity, being able to work around health, family or caring responsibilities. With a flexible approach, business priorities can be met, while looking after peoples life balance. Increasing company loyalty.

One size doesn't fit all, flexibility enables all.