if i was an IT advisory consultant with EY,London based, could I pop into local office, e.g. Reading/Southampton, if I needed to go to an office, e.g. hot desk working, break from home working, need IT support. This would save a trip into London.

Heh, heh. I know ur game. We got u sussed. U wanna join in London then work in Southampton whilst living in a big house and still getting a big London salary without having to do the long London hours, don't u? Heh heh, cheeky little sod.

Why don't you ask them to base you in the Southampton or Reading office? Slightly lower regional pay (no London weighting) but, given that you will probably be spending most of your working time in London anyway, they will pay for your commute on expenses. Should save you £400per month off your net salary.Simples!

If they need you in London, they'll hire you in London and expect you to be there (at your own expense). If they could get away with basing you in a regional office they would as it's cheaper (both salary and office costs). The reason they want you in the London office when not on client site is to build the practice, ensure people feel part of the same team, etc. rather than a bunch of sub-contractors. Your laptop "should" work when plugged in any office, but the resources may not always be available to do IT support and the local office staff WILL look at you strangely.