Reform UK leader Nigel Farage outlines plan to scrap homeworking culture and improve productivity across Britain during rally

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has reignited the debate over remote work by calling for an end to Britain’s working from home culture.

Addressing around 2,000 supporters at a rally in Birmingham, Farage argued that employees are far more productive when they are physically together in an office rather than isolated at home.

Farage said the country needs an “attitudinal change” toward work, one that values hard work over the concept of work-life balance.

“People aren’t more productive working at home – it’s a load of nonsense,” he declared.

“They’re more productive being with other fellow human beings and working as part of a team.”

The Push for Office-Based Productivity

During his speech, Farage took aim at workplace trends that he believes have weakened productivity.

He criticized policies that allow employees to take time off for mild anxiety, describing them as part of a wider cultural shift that undermines commitment to work.

Farage emphasized that teamwork in an office environment is essential for achieving results and dismissed claims that homeworking boosts efficiency.

This stance reflects his previous statements during last year’s local elections, where he promised that staff in Reform UK-controlled councils would have no option but to work from the office.

“You either work from the office or you’re gone,” he said, signaling a strict, no-compromise approach.

How Remote Work Changed the UK Workforce

The rise of remote work in Britain can be traced back to the Covid-19 lockdowns, when office employees were forced to adapt to homeworking.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of people working from home nearly doubled between late 2019 and early 2022, jumping from 4.7 million to 9.9 million.

By early 2025, about 28 percent of the workforce was working in hybrid arrangements, 13 percent were fully remote, and 44 percent continued to travel to an office.

Despite these numbers, major employers such as Amazon, Boots, and JP Morgan have increasingly insisted that their staff return to full-time office work, signaling a pushback against permanent remote arrangements.

Support from Industry Voices

Farage’s position on office productivity echoes concerns from business leaders.

Former Asda and Marks & Spencer chief executive Lord Rose warned last year that remote working policies have created a generation of employees who are “not doing proper work.”

He suggested that homeworking could be linked to a decline in overall productivity and even to wider economic challenges facing the UK.

These critiques provide additional weight to Farage’s argument that a return to office-based teamwork could help restore efficiency and discipline in British workplaces.

Rallying for the Next General Election

Farage used the Birmingham rally to highlight Reform UK’s broader political ambitions.

He declared that the party is on a “general election war footing” and suggested that the next election could arrive sooner than expected.

While addressing the crowd, he also called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to resign and criticized Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, linking it to broader concerns about Labour’s judgment and leadership.

Farage also outlined plans for his shadow cabinet, which is set to be unveiled this week, and promised reforms to the civil service, including cutting 68,500 jobs and reducing the salary bill by 17 percent.

Rally Highlights and Party Energy

The rally ended with a show of unity as all Reform UK MPs joined Farage on stage.

The crowd cheered as party-branded T-shirts were thrown into the audience, demonstrating both the enthusiasm of supporters and the energy of the party’s grassroots base.

Farage’s speech combined political messaging with cultural commentary, particularly regarding Britain’s workplace habits, sending a clear signal about the party’s priorities.

What’s Next?

Reform UK is gearing up for the May elections with a clear focus on office productivity, civil service reform, and strong general election campaigning.

Farage’s plans to unveil his shadow cabinet and push for changes to government structures suggest the party is preparing for a serious challenge in the political landscape, while continuing to apply pressure on both the Labour Party and the current government.

Summary

Nigel Farage has criticized remote working, calling for a return to office-based teamwork to boost productivity.

He argues that Britain needs an attitudinal shift toward hard work rather than work-life balance.

The trend toward working from home surged during Covid-19, but many large companies are now asking staff to return to the office.

Farage used the Birmingham rally to underline Reform UK’s general election ambitions, outline civil service reforms, and criticize political opponents, all while energizing supporters with a visible show of party unity.