WORKPLACES in Southampton have been busier during the current lockdown than last spring, figures suggest.

The GMB union said low-paid workers not being able to afford to self-isolate and a lack of sanctions on employers were key reasons for increased office footfall across England.

Google uses location data from phones and other personal devices to track trends in people’s movement in different areas of their daily lives, including where they work.

It shows average activity in workplaces in Southampton over six weeks between January 5 and February 15 was 48% lower than during a five-week baseline period recorded before the pandemic.

But this was a rise on the average of 62% below normal between March 24 and May 4, when the UK was plunged into its first national lockdown.

Current UK Government guidance says people can only leave their home for work if it is “not reasonably possible” to do so from home.

In announcing the first lockdown on March 23 last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said travelling to and from work was only permitted when “absolutely necessary”.

Between that and the current lockdown, activity in workplaces across the UK has risen from an average of 64% below normal to 45% below.

Dan Shears, GMB national health and safety director, said the inability of low-paid workers to afford to self-isolate is a critical factor.

He added: “This will undoubtedly be a reason for the increased footfall, as many workers simply cannot take the hit of income falling to statutory sick pay rates.”

The Google data shows how footfall in Southampton workplaces has differed across almost a full year of coronavirus restrictions.

Between the start of the first UK lockdown and mid-February, the busiest a working day got was just 34% below usual the baseline – hitting this level on three days.

By contrast, the quietest weekday over this time – outside of bank holidays – was December 31, which was 69% below normal.

The Institute of Directors, which represents UK business leaders, said the majority of its members indicated they would be keeping some form of home working in place after the pandemic.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the Test and Trace Support Payment has received £149 million in funding for people who need to self-isolate but cannot work from home.