Despite the change in government guidance, many businesses are looking to continue working from home to avoid spending money on expensive office spaces.

A new report shows that businesses with fewer than 50 employees are saving nearly £4,000 a month in rent and running costs when employees work from home. A survey of 1,000 small business owners found that one in four had plans to continue working entirely from home with a similar number planning a hybrid working model.

Despite this, rising fuel prices and long cold winter months could mean that employees are looking to return to the office to avoid costly heating bills.

Alan Price, CEO of BrightHR said: “Employers have faced resistance in previous months when asking employees to return to the workplace after periods of homeworking.

“However, the rising cost of living and household bills has made employees rethink this with many preferring to be back in the office to avoid having to pay for their heating to be on all day.

“Some employers are also weighing up the benefits of office-working compared with the expense of opening them.

“This will be particularly relevant for organisations who have remained productive and successful with a remote workforce.

“Where employers want to introduce a permanent homeworking arrangement, they must first seek the agreement from their workforce to change the “place of work” clause in their contract.

“Should the change impact 20 or more employees, collective consultation rules may apply.”