Employment and COVID-19 inquiry launched by Lords Economic Affairs Committee
3 Aug 2020 03:03 PM
The Economic Affairs Committee launches its inquiry into employment and COVID-19 and invites written contributions to its investigation. The deadline for submissions is 10 September 2020.
Focus of the inquiry
The Committee will examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market and consider what urgent measures should be taken to protect and create jobs. It will also examine how the labour market may change as a result of the pandemic in the longer term. The Committee intends to make recommendations to the Government.
The Committee is seeking answers to the following questions:
- What steps should be taken to protect and create jobs over the next two years?
- What trade-offs should be considered?
- What barriers to entering employment could be removed to support the labour market recovery?
- Which sectors are likely to experience the most change in supply and demand?
- To what extent should any future intervention by the Government in the labour market be targeted sectorally and/or regionally?
- What lessons can be learned from previous recessions and active labour market policy interventions in the UK? What lessons can be learned from schemes and interventions that have been implemented in other countries?
- What steps should be taken to create a sustainable recovery over the medium and longer term?
- How should the Government support training and skills development?
- What positive and negative trends in employment may have been accelerated as a result of COVID-19?
The Committee is looking to hear from as diverse a range of views as possible—if you think someone you know would have an interest in contributing to the inquiry, please pass this on to them.
Please read the call for evidence document above for full details on the inquiry. The deadline for submitting written evidence is 10 September 2020.
Chair's quote
Lord Forsyth, Chair of the Committee, comments:
"COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on the economy and people’s livelihoods. Our Committee’s inquiry will focus on measures that could help protect and create jobs. We will then make our recommendations to Government in due course.
"To inform our work we want to hear from as broad a range of people as possible. If you have a view on employment in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, look at our call for evidence and let us know what you think."
Further information