Back to the future

At the onset of the pandemic, there were widespread concerns about catastrophic levels of unemployment in the face of lockdowns. But extending the furlough scheme has kept a lid on unemployment, while the reopening of the economy this summer has sparked a ‘jobs-rush’. As the UK labour market enters a new phase, it is important to be clear about which pandemic induced shifts for our world of work will be temporary and which mark long-term structural change.

What is the state of the post-furlough labour market? What changes can be seen in how and where we work? Who is working? Which of these changes are likely to become permanent features of our post-pandemic economy? And how should policymakers view these long-term changes to the labour market?

The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar – as part of The Economy 2030 Inquiry, funded by the Nuffield Foundation – to debate and answer these questions. Following a presentation of the key highlights from new Resolution Foundation research on the lasting impact of the pandemic on the labour market, we will hear from leading experts on what this means for the economy over the coming decade.

The event will be open for a limited number of people to physically attend, and also broadcast via YouTube and the Resolution Foundation website. Viewers will be able to submit questions to the panel before and during the event.