Commuter disproves Gen Z laziness stereotype with four-hour daily journey

Commuting from north Wales to Liverpool, a journey that takes two hours in each direction, is a regular routine for Lily-May Edwards, who travels to the city for her office job.

For Lily-May Edwards, the picturesque landscapes of north Wales are home, but her career takes her to the University of Liverpool, a commute she willingly undertakes.

To balance her love for her hometown and her job, Lily-May rises early, typically at 05:30, to embark on the four-hour round trip to the office.

At 24, Lily-May expresses her enthusiasm for starting her day, valuing the sense of purpose that comes with physically going to work.

The pandemic normalized remote work for millions, with over a quarter of Britons still spending part of their week working from home.

Last year, Sir Alan Sugar sparked controversy by suggesting that employees should return to the office, implying that younger workers preferred to stay at home.

However, a 2025 survey of 12,000 workers across 44 countries indicated that younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are leading the charge back to the office.

Lily-May's morning commute involves a 45-minute drive to the train station, followed by a train ride to Liverpool, and finishes with a walk to her office.

Lily-May Edwards — Lily-May says going into the office most days gives her a sense of purpose

As a social media officer, she notes that similar job opportunities are scarce in her hometown, making the commute worthwhile.

Despite the long commute, Lily-May appreciates the dual lifestyle, enjoying both her hometown and Liverpool.

She values the experience of having two distinct environments, allowing her to separate her personal and professional life.

During her commute, Lily-May uses the time to unwind, whether by editing, reading, or simply relaxing before the workday begins.

She wears a burgandy jumper tucked into her grey trousers. Her hair is in a low ponytail. She has red nails and is taking a mirror selfie — Lily-May wakes up at 05:30 to begin her commute

Although the lengthy commute means she works from home two days a week, Lily-May prefers the office environment and would spend more time there if she lived closer.

The social aspect of her job is also important to her, as she has formed close bonds with her colleagues.

Lily-May believes that hybrid or remote work arrangements are not about laziness, but rather about valuing flexibility.

According to the ONS, workers between the ages of 30 and 49 are most likely to have a hybrid work arrangement, splitting their time between the office and home.

A selfie of Lily-May without her glasses. She wear dark sunglasses on top of her head. She has blue eyes and pink lipstick — Posting her routine on social media has made Lily-May realise she wasn't "the only one" with a long commute

Some business leaders, including JPMorgan's CEO Jamie Dimon, have expressed concerns that remote work may be detrimental to productivity, particularly for younger employees.

However, Claire McCartney from the CIPD argues that there is no conclusive evidence to support the claim that working from home negatively impacts performance.

McCartney notes that flexibility has become a highly valued aspect of work since the pandemic, while also acknowledging the benefits of working in an office environment.

Claire McCartney from the CIPD says there is "no compelling evidence" that working from home impacts productivity

She emphasizes the importance of social interaction, learning, and development that occurs in an office setting, particularly for younger employees or those new to a job.

McCartney adds that employees who are offered flexibility are more likely to feel motivated, engaged, and committed to their employers.

For Daisy Willis, flexibility is essential, having transitioned from an office-based role to a fully remote job in the travel industry.

The 21-year-old found that her previous office job, which required a commute from Essex to London, was expensive, with weekly travel costs exceeding £60.

Daisy is sitting down with a palm tree in the background. Daisy has blonde hair- worn half up half down. She has a pink halter neck top and big gold earrings. — Since starting a fully remote job, Daisy Willis from Essex believes she has a better work-life balance

Daisy notes a significant improvement in her work-life balance since switching to a remote job, appreciating the increased flexibility.

She now uses her lunch breaks to walk her dog and values the extra time she can spend with her family.

Daisy finds that she enjoys her work more when she can balance it with her personal life.

Eleanor Cotton, 24, splits her time between the office and home as part of her marketing executive role in Manchester.

Due to office-sharing arrangements, Eleanor and her colleagues can only work from the office twice a week, necessitating a two-hour commute from Birmingham.

Eleanor highlights the benefits of working in an office, including collaboration and social interaction.

Cotton sitting on a bench with greenery in the background. She wears an apple watch and purple dress. She has long brown hair and wears thin, clear-framed glasses. It is a head and shoulders shot. — Because of office sharing, Eleanor Cotton and her colleagues can only work in the office twice a week

She believes that these aspects are essential for knowledge sharing and teamwork, which can be lacking in a remote work setting.

While Eleanor is content with her current arrangement, she acknowledges that the two-hour commute is a significant commitment.

She finds her job rewarding enough to justify the commute, despite the challenges it poses.

Lily-May, who documents her commutes on social media, has received a mixed response from her followers.

Some critics view her commute as a waste of time, while others offer words of encouragement and share their own experiences with long commutes.

Lily-May is heartened to discover that she is not alone in her commute, and that many others face similar challenges.

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DP World CEO departs amid fallout over Epstein connections

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem’s departure follows the revelation of hundreds of emails allegedly exchanged between him and Epstein, as revealed in recently disclosed documents.

DP World's global ports operator has undergone a change in leadership, with the previous head stepping down amidst scrutiny surrounding their association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, wearing white, gestures during the World Government Summit in Dubai in 2017.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem's departure as chairman and chief executive follows the release of newly uncovered files, which indicate he exchanged numerous emails with Epstein over the course of a decade.

The mention of an individual in these files does not imply any wrongdoing, and the BBC has reached out to Sulayem for a statement regarding the matter.

On Friday, DP World announced the appointments of Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive, without making any reference to Sulayem, whose photograph appears to have been removed from the company's website.

DP World, a Dubai-owned logistics company with a significant presence in global trade infrastructure, operating port terminals across six continents, has faced increasing pressure from its business partners in recent days.

Earlier in the week, the UK development finance agency and La Caisse, Canada's second-largest pension fund, announced that they would be suspending new investments in the firm.

Additionally, the Prince of Wales' Earthshot project, which received funding from DP World, was reported to the UK Charity Commission following Sulayem's appearance in the recently released files.

The documents suggest a close and extensive relationship between Sulayem, a prominent Gulf business figure, and Epstein, spanning multiple areas of interaction.

US lawmakers Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie have accused Sulayem of being one of several influential individuals associated with Epstein, citing him as one of "six powerful men" linked to the disgraced financier.

The lawmakers, who co-sponsored the legislation that led to the release of the Epstein files last year, claim that certain information was improperly redacted from the documents.

On 9 February, Thomas Massie highlighted a redacted document that appeared to contain an email from Epstein in 2009, referencing a "torture video"; the recipient responded that they would be traveling between China and the US, although the context of the exchange is unclear.

US officials have confirmed that Sulayem was the recipient of the email in question, which was sent by Epstein.

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Ireland Seeks Redemption in Match Without Spectators

Ireland’s Captain Caelan Doris has emphasized that the team must have all players contributing in order to move past their loss to France and secure a win against Italy.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris is urging his team to deliver a strong performance against Italy, following their disappointing loss to France last week.

Historically, Ireland have dominated Italy in their home Six Nations matches, winning their last five encounters by at least 30 points, including a 2024 match where they held Italy scoreless, but a similar outcome is not expected this time around.

Italy's confidence is high after their 18-15 victory over Scotland in Rome, where they excelled in the set-piece and defended well in the closing stages.

Gonzalo Quesada's team put in an impressive display despite the challenging weather conditions, and their win has given them momentum ahead of their trip to Dublin.

In contrast, Ireland's camp has been introspective after their 16-year-low Six Nations loss to France, with head coach Andy Farrell expressing his disappointment and the need for improvement.

Farrell was critical of his team's performance, particularly in the first half, and has made several changes to the lineup for the Italy match, including the exclusion of Josh van der Flier, Jacob Stockdale, Tommy O'Brien, and Cian Prendergast.

The Irish coach has also spoken about the need for his team to "simplify things" and understand their identity, following a clear-the-air meeting with the squad.

Farrell has emphasized the importance of players not overthinking their roles and instead focusing on their strengths, as they prepare to face Italy.

The Irish coach's message to his players is to trust their instincts and not overcomplicate their game plan against Italy.

Ireland's review of their loss to France was a candid and honest assessment, with players and coaches alike acknowledging the need for improvement.

Ireland has made six changes to their team for the Italy match, with newcomers Cormac Izuchukwu and Rob Baloucoune, as well as uncapped lock Edwin Edogbo, set to feature.

Captain Caelan Doris believes that the new players must take ownership of their roles and contribute to the team's overall performance.

Doris expressed his enthusiasm for the team's lineup, despite the changes, and emphasized the importance of cohesion and trust among the players.

The Irish captain's message to the new players is to have faith in their abilities and enjoy the experience, while also focusing on the team's core strengths.

Doris stressed that every player must be fully committed and take responsibility for their actions on the field, in order to achieve a positive outcome.

He added that creating a sense of unity and purpose through their actions can have a profound impact on the team's performance.

Doris reiterated that every player must be fully invested and take ownership of their role, in order to achieve success against Italy.

Edwin Edogbo, the towering Munster lock, is set to make his Test debut for Ireland on Saturday.

Ireland's loss to France was marked by a lack of intent, and head coach Andy Farrell has responded by making changes to the team, including the inclusion of wingers James Lowe and Rob Baloucoune.

The hope is that these changes will help Ireland to rediscover their sense of purpose and direction against Italy.

Lowe, a experienced player, was dropped for the France match, but returns to the lineup, while Baloucoune makes his first appearance for Ireland since November 2022.

The inclusion of Cormac Izuchukwu in the back row is expected to add dynamism and ball-carrying ability to Ireland's attack.

There is also excitement about the potential of Edwin Edogbo, who has impressed for Munster despite struggling with injuries earlier in his career.

Caelan Doris will switch back to open-side flanker, a position he has played before against Italy, and where he has scored tries in the past.

Regardless of his position, Doris is focused on helping Ireland to move past their loss to France and deliver a strong performance against Italy.

The Irish captain reflected on the team's discussions throughout the week, which have centered on accountability, simplicity, and a renewed focus on their core values.

Doris emphasized the importance of the team holding each other accountable and taking ownership of their actions, in order to drive improvement.

The Irish captain acknowledged that the loss to France has served as a reference point, but expressed confidence that the team can learn from the experience and move forward.

Doris believes that Ireland has the potential to improve, but must focus on executing their game plan effectively and trusting their strengths.

The match between Ireland and Italy is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 14 February, at 14:10 GMT.

The Aviva Stadium in Dublin will host the encounter.

Fans can listen to live commentary of the match on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, BBC Radio Ulster, and the BBC Sport website and app, as well as follow live text commentary.

Italy has a chance to cause a major upset in the Six Nations, and will be looking to build on their win over Scotland last week.

The Italians pushed Ireland close last year, losing 22-17, and will be hoping to go one better this time around.

Despite the absence of Juan Ignacio Brex, Italy has a number of threats, including Tommaso Menoncello, one of the most exciting young talents in European rugby.

The Italian forwards have shown their ability to compete with top teams, having dominated Scotland and caused problems for South Africa's pack in November.

Caelan Doris acknowledged that Italy is no longer just a passionate team, but a side with a well-rounded attack and strong defense.

The Irish captain noted that Italy's attack is now a significant threat, and that their ability to play with width and depth makes them a challenging opponent.

Doris also highlighted the improvement in Italy's scrum, as well as the quality of their back three and the physicality of their forwards.

The Ireland team to face Italy is: Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; S Prendergast, Casey; Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson, McCarthy, Ryan, Izuchukwu, Doris (capt), Conan.

Ireland's substitutes for the match include Kelleher, O'Toole, Furlong, Edogbo, Beirne, Timoney, Gibson-Park, and Crowley.

The Italian team features Pani, Lynagh, Marin, Menoncello, and Ioane in the backline, with P Garbisi and Fusco in the half-back positions, and a forward pack consisting of Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, N Cannone, Zambonin, Lamaro as captain, Zuliani, and L Cannone.

Italy's replacement players are Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Hasa, Ruzza, Favretto, Odiase, A Garbisi, and Odogwu.

On Saturday, Hollie Davidson of Scotland will make history by becoming the first female referee to officiate a men's Six Nations match, with the fixture being Ireland's home game against Italy.