Lords to investigate COVID-19 impact on jobs market

A group of peers is to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UK labour market and what measures should be taken to protect jobs.

The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee, chaired by Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, said it will also examine how the labour market may change as a result of the pandemic in the longer term.

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 by sector and/or by region?
• 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?

‘COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on the economy and people’s livelihoods,’ said Lord Forsyth. ‘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.’

The deadline for written submissions is 10 September, which can be made via the committee’s website.

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