Merseyside Digital Development

A new group has been launched to champion flexible working across the region. The Northwest Flexible Working Group, a gathering of public and private sector representatives, has come together to champion flexible working in the region for the benefit of both employers and employees.

Flexible working is proven to generate return for employers in the form of increased productivity and reduced costs and, for employees, the benefits that come with the freedom and flexibility of homeworking & mobile working. When these benefits are spread across a region, the positive economic and environmental impact is undoubted.

Flexible working is on the increase in the UK, assisted by Government interventions such as the Right to Request Flexible Working, introduced in April 2003 and individual choice, with a recent survey showing 88% of full time working Mums saying they would rather work from home to be near their children. Advances in technology are making flexible working a very real option for people all over the UK, the availability of broadband to virtually all communities is facilitating a step-change in the adoption of homeworking opportunities.

The Northwest Flexible Working Group will encourage and support local employers to adopt flexible working practices and will influence regional strategies and planning to ensure the region secures its position as a lead location for attracting and retaining a flexible workforce. The Group also released a publication ‘Flexible Working in England’s Northwest’ which is packed full of information about the economic and environmental benefits.

The Group chose the BT Business Suite at No 1 Portland Street in Manchester, a facility for BT’s thousands of flexible workers, as the place to host its launch. Pictured above are: Steve Bennett, Vice Chairman, IoD; Peter Connor, BT (and Chair of Flexible Working Group); Andrew Halliwell, NWDA; Geoffrey Piper, Northwest Business Leadership Team; Simon Crawshaw, Northwest Regional Assembly; Terry Warburton, Centre for Enterprise in Education, MMU; David Parr, Chief Executive Halton Borough Council & Chair of the GMDDA; Emma Jones, Redbrick Enterprises Ltd

Peter Connor, BT Regional Manager and Chairman of the Northwest Flexible Working Group said “As a Group, we want to see more Flexible Working in the Northwest and we are committed to making this happen. If we succeed, the region’s economy, environment and society will benefit. Today we are also launching a publication that has been produced for any company or public sector organisation that is considering implementing flexible working. I hope the facts and figures will encourage readers to press ahead and become flexible working employers. At BT, we have certainly seen evidence of the rewards that can be reaped.”

Andrew Halliwell, acting Head of Regional ICT Policy at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and fellow Flexible Working Group member, said “The NWDA recognises that an increase in flexible and homeworking working delivers benefits to the region’s economy and environment and this publication will go a long way to encourage this activity further in the Northwest. The region has almost ubiquitous broadband coverage and flexible working is just one of the many benefits to be derived from always on, broadband access”

For more information about the Northwest Flexible Working Group, please visit: http://www.englandsnorthwest.com/homeworking