READERS have reacted strongly with mixed views to a Labour Party proposal to alleviate the staffing crisis that has blighted many sectors in recent times.

Middle-aged workers quit the workplace in droves since the pandemic, with two in five saying sickness or disability was their reason for leaving.

The shadow work and pensions secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, has laid out plans to entice over-50s back to work, by offering more flexible hours, and working-from-home arrangements.

READ MORE: Labour hoping to tempt retirees back to workforce with right to work from home

Keith Cockburn welcomed the proposals - he said: "It's a good idea, work experience and knowledge is wasted in this country, colleges cannot keep up with advances in technology."

Ringland Boy agreed: "Some jobs can be done from home, some obviously can't.

"Why should those who can't object to those who can?

“I’ve been working from home since 2020 - every target and deadline has been met.

"I'm due to retire soon , and I’m considering working on as I won’t waste 3 hrs a day commuting, plus Im saving a fortune in fares.

“Up at 8.45 am , switch laptop on, finish 5 pm, switch laptop off , so much easier and stress-free.”

Other readers took a more sceptical view of the plans.

Hartley Stu said that politicians may have a different motive: “Trying to reduce the pension liability

“Wasn't it Mr Brown who taxed pensions further?

"A recent report put 32 per cent of 18-24-year-olds not in employment or seeking employment."

Others said that the roles most in need of filling could not be filled by those working from home.

MVenus said: "The brunt of the labour shortages caused by the post-Brexit exodus of EU labour (over half a million employees) are in nursing, hospitality, agriculture, construction, transport and the care-home sectors.

"None of which can be resolved by working from home."

Tantersi said: "How can you have a 'right to work from home'? For many jobs this is just not possible.

"Office workers seem to forget that they are in the minority of 25 per cent of the UK workforce.

"How would this work for shop assistants, nurses or builders, to name but a few."