NEW figures surrounding home working could lead to a new "class divide" across Great Britain, a union has claimed.

Data suggests that almost three in 10 people in Flintshire worked from home at some point last year.

Office for National Statistics [ONS] population data estimates that 28 per cent of the 78,552 employed people aged 16 and over in Flintshire worked from home at some stage in 2020.

Meanwhile, in Wrexham, around two in five people across the county worked from home at some point last year.

The same set of ONS data estimate almost 40 per cent of the 65,125 employed people aged 16 and over in Wrexham worked from home at some stage in 2020.

Across the whole of the UK, over a quarter (26 per cent) of people worked at home at some point in the week they were surveyed – more than double that of 2019.

The TUC said the need to work from our kitchen tables and spare bedrooms, which has been accelerated by coronavirus, could lead to a new "class divide".

They claim that those who have been able to work from home will find it easier to achieve more flexible working in the future.

Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the union, added: “It’s likely that many workers will want to spend more time working from home than before, and it’s vital that employers have positive and constructive discussions with staff and unions about how to make this work.

“A sole focus on home working rights would create new inequalities for those who cannot easily work from home.

“The Prime Minister’s failure to include an employment bill in his legislative programme is a colossal failure to address the needs of working people. He must bring forward new rights to flexible working without delay.”

Ms O’Grady urged firms to consult with workers about a wider return to work expected after June 21 when the latest phase of ending the lockdown comes into effect.

The Welsh Government has said it wants to give workers across Wales more flexibility to work remotely and believes this has the potential to drive regeneration and economic activity in communities.

It also recognises the importance of learning lessons on issues such as mental health support, childcare arrangements and more innovative housing design.

The devolved nation has stated its long-term ambition to see around a third (30 per cent) of Welsh workers working from home - or near to home - even after the threat of COVID-19 lessens.