Over half of adults travelling to work during second Covid lockdown

More than half of adults are travelling to work during the coronavirus lockdown, Government data has revealed, with the number continuing to rise.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that 56 per cent of working adults reported travelling to work during the second national lockdown.

The data, which covers the period from November 18 to 22, marks a slight increase from the previous week, when 51 per cent of working adults were travelling to work.

The figures take in adults in Great Britain who say they are travelling to work exclusively and those who are travelling in combination with working from home.

Current Government guidance says people should work from home where possible and only travel if essential.

Researchers also found that compliance with most Covid measures remained high, with 88 per cent – compared to 89 per cent the previous week – reporting always or often washing their hands after returning home.

Ninety-seven per cent reported using a face covering, the same amount as last week, and 91 per cent avoided physical contact when outside their home, up one per cent from last week.

A further 86 per cent reported always or often maintaining social distance when outside their support bubble, down from 88 per cent last week.

The data comes as the Government announced a return to the tier system in England ahead of Christmas as the lockdown ends next week. Families will be granted permission to have three households mixing for a period of five days over the festive season, but there are concerns that many will break the rules.

Nigel Farage claimed the tier system is "lockdown in all but name" and tweeted: "I think that mass rule-breaking is coming." A Telegraph survey has found that 25 per cent of people will break Christmas restrictions.

Sir Charles Walker, the vice-chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs, said: "I am surprised it is so few, but I suspect that number will grow as we get nearer Christmas. This is why it is so important for the Government to come up with an initiative that allows families to get together over the festive period.

"This is important because, if the Government fails to make this provision, people will do it anyway –which will lead to the Government losing authority."