A new survey, conducted by the Department for Transport (DfT), has revealed how the coronavirus pandemic has affected business travel in the UK…

Business Travel and the Pandemic 

A new survey, conducted by the DfT, has shed light on how business travel has been affected in the UK by the coronavirus pandemic. Notably, 93% of businesses replaced business trips with virtual meetings during the course of the pandemic. Overall, 44% of them replaced all of their trips, 41% replaced half or more and 8% replaced less than half. A paltry 1 in 14 businesses, or 7%, replaced none at all. 

Larger businesses were found to be more likely to replace business travel with virtual meetings. For instance, 98% and 97% of large and medium-sized businesses made the replacements respectively. Businesses in London were also very likely to make the change (84%). Businesses providing ‘essential’ services were the most likely to completely replace meetings with virtual ones (55%). Conversely, manufacturing and construction businesses were the least likely to make the swap (16%). 

Virtual Meetings ‘Adequate’ 

The survey also shed light on how satisfied businesses were with virtual meetings. Some 50% considered them to be ‘adequate’ replacements for meetings in person. That said, just over one-in-four (28%) did not. Satisfaction rose slightly when virtual and real world meetings were both used (57%) – although 20% were still dissatisfied. 

Large businesses (58%) were more likely to find virtual meetings suitable than smaller ones. In addition, businesses in Wales, Northern Ireland Scotland were less likely to appreciate them (43%). Businesses in the North of England (68%) were satisfied with a mix of real and virtual meetings. This figure sat at 46% in the South of the country, when London was excluded. 

Overall, the survey has revealed that business travel has profoundly changed in light of the coronavirus pandemic. It’ll be interesting to see whether the changes last as the country gradually returns to a sense of normality; after all, some businesses will make significant savings by eliminating needless, real-world meetings. 

Grey Fleet Issues Continue To Get Worse, According To Report – https://autoservefleet.co.uk/latest-news/grey-fleet-issues-continue-to-get-worse-according-to-report/

Cornwall Business To Build Commercial EVs From 2023 – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/cornwall-business-to-build-commercial-evs-from-2023/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, we can keep your fleet moving and operational. Call one of our professional Service Advisers on 0121 521 3500 for more details.