Think tank to publish Live Work Network pamphlet on homeworking

Tim Dwelly and Andy Lake of Live Work Network have been commissioned to edit a pamphlet on homeworking and the low carbon economy for the Smith Institute.

Can homeworking savce the planet? How homes can become workspace in a low carbon economy will be published by the influential Smith Institute think tank at an invitation-only event in Whitehall on November 17 attended by senior politicians, civil servants and policy makers.

The pamphlet will make the case for a wider recognition of the carbon reduction that live/work and home based working can achieve if single properties combine workspace and home - in contrast to the carbon costs of constructing and then fuelling two buidlings with separate uses.

Contributors include Treasury adviser Kate Barker, Places for People Group chief executive David Cowans, BT Head of Policy Caroline Waters and Director of CABE Richard Simmons.

Tim Dwelly commented: 'There has been a recent major shift in support for the live/work concept amongst policy makers. With over 40% of all UK businesses now home-based, the penny is starting to drop that live/work will help protect enterprise as fuel costs rise and global warming increases.'

The Network has met a series of senior politicans of all parties in recent months. 'We do not see live/work and home enterprise as a particularly party-political issue,' said Dwelly. 'We receive a sympathetic hearing from all quarters. However, there is a question mark over which party will embrace the issue fully and take the most effective action.'

The pamphlet will be available online free to Network members upon publication.