With increased home working following the pandemic likely to remain, the research expects that improved connectivity will help to reduce CO2 emissions from a reduction in commuter trips by an estimated 700,000 tonnes per year. Remote working also enables people to move from inner cities to more rural areas. The model estimates that around 500,000 people could be supported to move—helping to stimulate regional and rural economic growth. Full-fibre in the South East region could enable more than 132,000 new people to enter the workforce and support over 41,000 individuals in expanding the hours they work, if they wanted. Parents, carers, and the over-65s could access employment and contribute £3.4 billion in gross value to the South East economy. A comprehensive full-fibre rollout in the East Midlands could enable more than 24,000 people to expand the hours they work, if they wish. Parents, carers, and the over-65s could contribute an extra £1.8 billion in gross value to the region’s economy. Cebr estimates that full-fibre in the East Midlands could enable more than 70,000 new people to enter the region’s workforce. Full-fibre builds are underway in the city areas of Derby, Northampton and Nottingham, as well as harder to reach locations including Bourne and Sleaford in Lincolnshire, Daventry and Towcester in Northamptonshire and Swadlincote and Buxton in Derbyshire.
Full-fibre in the West Midlands could enable more than 85,000 new people to enter the workforce and support over 29,000 individuals in expanding the hours they work, if they wanted. Parents, carers, and the over-65s could access employment and contribute £2.2 billion in gross value to the West Midlands economy. Full-fibre builds are underway in the city areas of Birmingham and Coventry, as well as harder to reach places such as Cannock and Burton Upon Trent in Staffordshire, Hereford, Evesham and Malvern in Worcestershire, and Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire. Full-fibre in Wales could enable more than 49,000 new people to enter the workforce and support over 18,000 individuals in expanding the hours they work.