Covid-19 Resources: Employment blogs
Covid-19 Resources will be updated regularly through this period of unprecedented social and economic disruption. If you want to get in touch to discuss any of this work, then please drop us a line at askies@employment-studies.co.uk
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This crisis shows that sick pay and Universal Credit are no longer fit for purpose – here’s five ways that Parliament needs to fix them
How will government support the many millions of workers finding themselves off work, sick or in self-isolation? Tony Wilson considers the urgent steps Parliament needs to take in order to protect the public, support those off work and to keep the economy moving.
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Coronavirus benefit: Do what it says on the tin
Guest author Bill Wells draws on over 30 years' experience as a labour market economist and makes recommendations for a temporary Coronavirus benefit that can be delivered easily to those who need it.
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Covid-19 Jobs and Incomes package: IES response
IES Director Tony Wilson reflects on the Chancellor’s plans to protect millions of jobs but questions the current support offered to the millions of self-employed.
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Conference calls, coughs and children: Can parents really work from home?
IES employment policy researchers consider the impact on working parents in light of school and business closure, identifying several areas where support for (previously) working parents needs to be further strengthened.
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What next for the older workers losing their jobs to coronavirus?
In a guest blog from the Centre for Ageing Better, Kim Chaplain highlights the value of older workers in the economy and urges government and employers, to ensure their needs are recognised in rebuilding the labour market.
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We've never seen a month like this one - now we need to start planning for the recovery
Tony Wilson reflects on this month's labour market statistics and the latest data on Universal Credit claims, highlighting the importance of early intervention from government, employers and wider social partners to aid economic recovery.
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'Falling through cracks' or'left in limbo' - fixing the holes in our safety net
Institute Director Tony Wilson explains why the Job Retention Scheme can’t do it all. Our social security system needs to fill the gaps.
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The impact of COVID-19 and MOT extensions on independent garages in the motor industry - an explainer
Georgie Akehurst takes a look at how Covid-19 is shaping the independent garage sector, reporting on the experiences of those working within it and its prospects of recovery.
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Covid-19: What next for employers?
Ed Griffin breaks down the latest 60-page government guidance on the recovery strategy, highlighting stand out areas for employers and the implications and appropriate next steps, for their workforce.
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This is the biggest employment crisis that we’ve faced – we now need to respond
Tony Wilson argues that we have the evidence, the money and the capacity to tackle the looming unemployment crisis – what’s needed is swift government action in helping people back into work.
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Cut taxes or spend more? Tackling unemployment at next month’s Budget
Tony Wilson considers ways in which the Chancellor could use a July budget to boost jobs, arguing that whilst cuts to National Insurance for existing staff could help, they are only part of the solution
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What’s going on with the unemployment data?
Tony Wilson tries to explain the differences between the record rises in the claimant count and absence of any increase in the official measure of unemployment
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Six tests for the government’s not-a-budget next month
IES Director Tony Wilson sets out six tests for the government’s non-budget next month
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'The Covid Generation?’ How do we improve the experience of work and its impact on health for young people?
In his first blog for IES, Health Foundation Research Fellow Daryl Sweet discusses his role in a three year project focused on improving the experience and quality of work for young people.
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The government’s Plan for Jobs: a comprehensive response to the crisis, but challenges remain
Tony Wilson considers the government's just-announced Plan for Jobs but highlights areas where challenges remain.
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The experience and impact of Covid-19 calls for government to use measures beyond GDP to shape our recovery, level-up, and ensure opportunities for everyone
Rosie Gloster considers the argument for building and using a broader set of measures beyond GDP to monitor our economic and social progress post-lockdown.
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Let’s not lose sight of quality jobs and better long-term outcomes for young people in the response to Covid-19
Daryl Sweet considers what is quality employment for young people and how do we ensure access to it, even as the Covid-19 employment crisis threatens the availability of good quality work.
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Isolation, childcare and shortage of support: The impact of Covid-19 on young women’s mental health
In the first in a series of blogs, Beth Mason speaks to Young Women's Trust about how Covid-19 and lockdown has affected young women’s mental health, financial stability, and access to employment.
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Getting Kickstart working will take more than a pot of cash for businesses
In this guest blog, Tracy Fishwick outlines the importance of intermediaries in assisting employers navigate the Kickstart scheme, a government initiative designed to match jobs to young people at the highest risk of long-term unemployment.
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Unemployment, debt, and food banks: young women facing financial insecurity
In the second in a series of blogs, Beth Mason speaks to Young Women's Trust about the financial impacts of Covid-19 on young women, who are amongst those worst affected by the crisis.
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A mothers’ many roles: how childcare impacts young women’s employment opportunities
In the final in a series of blogs, Beth Mason speaks to Young Women's Trust about the difficulties young women face in accessing adequate childcare, and the impact this has on their ability to find, and to stay in work.
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Sunak’s measures needed to protect workers and support the recovery - they don’t
Tony Wilson considers the Job Support Scheme, part of the newly announced Winter Economy Plan, and estimates that the government’s post-furlough proposals could still leave a million people long-term unemployed.
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Can the pandemic transform flexible working opportunities?
The pandemic has fast-tracked significant changes in ways of working for many people. Rosie Gloster and James Cockett explore how this shift in working patterns could affect the long term flexible working options for employees across varying occupations and sectors.
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The four-day week - an idealistic dream or a survival strategy?
Guest blogger Astrid Allen argues that whilst under 'normal circumstances' a shorter working week might bring significant societal gains, these are unlikely to be felt in the context of the present pandemic.
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Addressing the youth unemployment crisis: challenges and opportunities in unprecedented times
Cristiana Orlando looks at the impact of Covid-19 on youth unemployment and poor employment practices, highlighting the need for the response to have not just 'any work', but good work at its core.
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Spending Review 2020: Good marks on support to find work, more to do on raising demand
Tony Wilson reflects on the just-announced Spending Review, and while there is much to welcome in today's announcements, there is still much to be done to support a strong recovery.
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Call for participation: Health Foundation and IES youth employment policy project needs your voice
In her latest blog, Cristiana Orlando invites services and partners with a stake in youth employment to become involved in the IES Health Foundation youth employment policy project.
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One year on: we averted a jobs catastrophe, now we need to secure the recovery
In a long read to mark one year since the start of the national lockdown, IES Director Tony Wilson offers his reflections on three big stories in the labour market and what we can learn from these for the recovery.
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In conversation with young people: opportunities and challenges for good quality work in a post-pandemic world
Cristiana Orlando shares insights from her work with young people, looking at the issue of good quality work and the roles young people could have in shaping policies that directly affect their employment and wellbeing.
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What works in youth employment partnerships: learning from evidence and improving practice
Cristiana Orlando details the challenges in developing effective youth employment partnerships, and introduces a new set of IES resources that aim to support services looking to design and develop, or improve delivery, of youth employment interventions through effective partnership.
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Way to Work - a first step, but we can and must do better
Tony Wilson argues that the new Way to Work campaign is a first step, but will not be enough to address the challenges that we face; and sets out how a new plan for participation and growth should be underpinned by a universally accessible, modern employment service.