In April 2022, Umus, a London university lecturer, told BBC Worklife that they were spending nearly a quarter of what they made every day on return-to-work costs. Similarly, London-based events manager Claire said she was struggling to keep up, especially after having put away nearly £6,000 ($7,100) in six months. “Having a mortgage, the rise in utility bills, council tax, income tax and the rising train fares, it’s just becoming impossible,” she said.