More than 1,000 employees at the Bank of England worked from overseas locations for a total of 12,889 days during 2025, according to recently released figures. This reflects the bank’s policy allowing eligible staff to work from abroad for up to 40 days per year, in addition to a remote work arrangement permitting up to three days per week outside the office within the UK. Approximately 5,500 of the bank’s roughly 6,000 staff are eligible for this overseas working arrangement, and around 20 percent have taken advantage of the policy.

The Bank of England has stated that its flexible working policy recognizes the international makeup of its workforce and acknowledges that employees may occasionally need to be based overseas for short periods. A spokesperson highlighted that the policy includes time limits and security-related conditions and that staff are expected to maintain their duties and responsibilities professionally while working remotely. The bank also emphasized ongoing investments in secure technology and systems to ensure remote work is effective and does not compromise operational security.

Since 2023, the Bank of England has invested over £12 million in laptops and around £764,000 in mobile phones to support remote working capabilities for its staff. The bank argued that these costs stem from continued modernization and efforts to maintain secure communications and efficiency regardless of staff location.

Criticism has emerged from several political figures and commentators questioning both the appropriateness and productivity of the bank’s overseas working policy. Some have described the practice as excessive, especially amid current economic challenges such as rising inflation and concerns over a potential recession. One critic remarked that while many workers face financial hardship and limited travel opportunities, Bank of England officials are benefiting from the ability to work remotely from foreign destinations. Others raised concerns about the potential risks to confidential information and the efficiency of the institution under such a policy.

Calls for reassessment of flexible and remote working arrangements within public institutions have grown, with some arguing that the broader public sector may be facing issues of absenteeism tied to overly lenient working practices. Opponents suggest that remote work policies, including working from abroad, should be evaluated strictly on their impact on productivity and public accountability.

The Bank of England’s remote working policy continues to operate amid heightened scrutiny of the institution as it manages monetary policy in a complex economic environment. Last week, the bank’s nine-member monetary policy committee voted 6 to 3 to maintain the current base interest rate at 3.75 percent, following inflation figures that remain above the official 2 percent target partly due to the ongoing energy price shock.

The bank has declined to disclose the specific countries where employees are permitted to work, citing concerns that such information might increase vulnerability to cyberattacks.