Lichfield and Burntwood’s MP has urged the Government not to miss the opportunity to permanently change the way people work when the coronavirus crisis is over.
Michael Fabricant made his comments after quizzing the Prime Minister on the issue in the House of Commons earlier this week.
He asked Boris Johnson if a post-pandemic UK would avoid a “a return to the old normal of pollution and crowded commuter trains”.
The Prime Minister said:
“Out of this tragedy and out of this disaster, of course we hope that some changes and some opportunities will come, and I certainly see a huge opportunity for cleaner, greener transport.
“The UK will continue its mission to be a net-zero nation by 2050 – we know we can do it.
“We’ve committed £2 billion to invest in cleaner transport, with walking and cycling amongst them.”
Michael Fabricant MP
Mr Fabricant added:
“We have all learned to live or work differently during this coronavirus pandemic.
“People are using transport far less and many are able to use technology to enable remote working from our homes. As a consequence, pollution is greatly reduced.
“It would be a huge shame if no lessons were learned and, when we finally defeat COVID-19, we return to the same old working practices generating the same pollution as before.
“Walking round Lichfield on my daily exercise, it certainly seems the view of many people I speak to – at a good 2 metre distance – that they welcome the cleaner air and calmer environment the reduction in commuting has given.
“With people learning to work more from home where that is possible, it does also beg the question that if this continues after this coronavirus pandemic has finally burnt itself out, whether HS2 will still be necessary.
“This pandemic may be more successful at decentralising work than all previous attempts by different governments.”
Michael Fabricant MP
