Back in 2020, the Welsh Government made one of the boldest remote work commitments anywhere in the UK: a target for 30% of the Welsh workforce to work remotely or near home on a regular basis. It was written into the Programme for Government 2021–2026, backed by a dedicated Smarter Working strategy, and supported by a network of community working hubs across the country.

Now, as the Programme for Government reaches its end and Senedd elections approach on 7 May 2026, it’s worth asking: did it work?

The 30% Target

The ambition was announced in September 2020, while pandemic-era remote work was at its peak. Wales wanted to lock in the gains rather than let them slip away as offices reopened. The formal target was for 30% of workers to work remotely or near home – not necessarily fully remote, but regularly outside a traditional central office.

The Welsh Government’s Smarter Working strategy, published in 2022, set out the principles: reduce unnecessary commuting, cut carbon emissions, support local economies, and give people back time that would otherwise be spent on motorways and train platforms.

It was a good policy direction. Whether it was ever precisely measurable is another question. As the Senedd’s Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee noted in its review, defining and tracking “remote or near-home” work across a mixed economy proved challenging.

Remote Working Hubs

One of the more tangible outputs was the investment in community remote working hubs – shared workspaces in towns like Haverfordwest (HaverHub), Rhyl (TownSq), the Swansea Valley (Indycube), and Pontypridd (Transport for Wales spaces). Six Valleys Taskforce sites were also brought online. Several offered 12-month free pilot access to encourage uptake.

These hubs served a real need. For workers whose homes weren’t suitable for full-time remote work – whether due to space, broadband, or simply the mental health benefits of separating work from home – a local hub within walking or cycling distance was a practical middle ground.

The concept aligns with what’s happening across Europe, where coworking and community workspace models are expanding beyond capital cities into secondary towns and rural areas.

Cardiff: An Affordable UK Base

For remote workers choosing a Welsh base, Cardiff remains compelling. Living costs run 30–40% lower than London overall, with rental prices more than 50% cheaper for equivalent properties. A one-bedroom flat in Cardiff city centre typically costs £800–£900 per month, compared to £1,800–£2,200 in London.

Cardiff also has around 40 coworking spaces, a growing tech scene, and good rail links to Bristol and London – making it viable for hybrid workers who need occasional access to English cities. The city consistently scores well on cost-of-living indices, with Numbeo’s cost of living index placing it significantly below London (Numbeo uses New York as its baseline of 100).

For more on how Cardiff compares to other UK cities, see our UK cities for remote workers guide.

What Happens After the Election

The Senedd elections on 7 May 2026 could shift Wales’s approach to remote work policy. Polling suggests a volatile contest, with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK both showing strong numbers alongside Welsh Labour.

Whatever the outcome, the fundamentals that drove the 30% target haven’t changed. Wales still has lower wages than the UK average, higher commuting costs relative to income, and a dispersed population that benefits from flexible working. The remote working hubs, where they’re still operational, serve real communities.

The question for the next Welsh Government isn’t whether to support remote work – it’s whether to measure it, fund it, and build on what’s already been started.

For more on remote work across the UK, see our UK cities for remote workers guide and the United Kingdom country guide.

Sources: Welsh Government – Smarter Working Strategy | Programme for Government 2021–2026 | Welsh Government – Remote Working Locations | Senedd Research – Remote Working