Today, commuters returned to work after Boris Johnson ordered government departments prepare for a return back to the workplace.
Photographs show the London Underground Jubilee Line looking jammed as rush hour began at 7 AM. Passengers were also lining up to board platforms for Overground trains from Canada Water Station.
TomTom’s congestion data showed that it was London’s busiest Monday morning rush hour since December 6, 2021. This was one week before current work from home guidance.
Today’s congestion levels in the Capital were at 46% between 7am-8am. This was an increase from the 44 percent recorded last week. It was also the highest level in seven weeks, the highest for Mondays since December 6, when it was only 47.6%.
This comes as Whitehall attempts to eliminate the work-from-home culture continues. Whitehall employees are asked to return to their desks following the end of the Working from Home guidance by the Prime Minister last Wednesday.
Union leaders call the plans’reckless’. Senior officials promised to continue to have large numbers of employees working remotely, with only a few civil servants present at their desks.
The final Plan B restrictions of Covid passports for larger venues and face masks in indoor areas will both be lifted on Thursday – but the latter will remain in place on Transport for London trains as a ‘condition of carriage’.
Tube riders can now be refused entry if they don’t wear a mask. London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: ‘Just a reminder to those travelling back into the office today—it’s still mandatory to wear a mask on all TfL services unless you’re exempt. Respect the rules if you use public transport. Use your mask.

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7am in the morning

Commuters wait in line to board a London Overground Train at Canada Water Station, South East London. This is around 7:15 AM today.

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7:20 AM.

Commuters take a walk on an escalator in the London Underground Network at 7 am.

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7 a.m. this morning
Following the scrapping of remote working guidance last year, it was discovered that civil servants had claimed thousands of pounds to purchase home office equipment.
Taxpayers paid out almost £730,000 in expenses between July 19 and early December – when ministers were no longer asking staff to avoid the office.

The freedom to information laws now allow us to see the extent of home work that was done last year after curbs were removed.
HMRC spent more than £540,000 on 7,566 home office equipment expenses claims, while the Cabinet Office paid out more than £100,000.
And the Department of Health spent £50,000 while the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs paid £23,000.
Other people refused to divulge the amount they paid for claims related to office equipment, citing costs. The total of those that provided figures was around £729,000.
To combat Omicron, ministers ended the guidance on working from home in July last year. However, they reinstated it on Dec. 8 for the same reason.
A spokesperson for the government stated that departments are free to decide on their individual work arrangements, in accordance with their staffing needs.
HMRC claimed it was not sorry for providing equipment for its employees to supply the UK with the goods they require.

Commuters waited to board a London Overground in Canada Water Station, South East London today at 7am

Commuters use the Jubilee Line on London Underground at 7:15 AM this morning

Commuters line up to get on a London Overground train at Canada Water Station in South East London, at 7:15 am today

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7 a.m. this morning

Commuters use the Jubilee Line on London Underground at 7:15 AM this morning

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7:45 AM.

Commuters wait in line to board a London Overground train at Canada Water station, South East London. This is around 7:15 AM today.

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7am in the morning

Commuters use the Jubilee Line on London Underground at 7:15 AM this morning

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7 am this morning

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7:45 AM.

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7:45 AM.

Commuters wait in line to board a London Overground train at Canada Water station, South East London. This is around 7:15 AM today.

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7:45 AM.

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7am in the morning

Commuters use the Jubilee Line on London Underground at 7:15 AM this morning

Commuters waited to board a London Overground in Canada Water Station, South East London today at 7am

Commuters commute on the Jubilee train on London Underground’s Underground network around 7am in the morning