Earning back better

Britain’s low-paid workers have been at the epicentre of the Covid-19 crisis – as key workers unable to work from home during lockdown, or as those most likely to have lost their jobs as our low-paying social sectors – from hospitality to retail – have closed. As the economy reopens, low-paid workers should be at the heart of post-pandemic discussions too – from the transition from furlough back to employment, to attempts to live up to the rhetorical commitments to build back better.

How have low-paid workers been affected by the pandemic? To what extent has Government policy, including the Job Retention Scheme and National Living Wage, supported them? What might the future have in store for low-paid workers? Should we reassess our settlement for the low-paid in light of the pandemic? And what role can technology and innovation play a role in any new settlement?

The Resolution Foundation is hosting a pair of back-to-back events on the future of low pay in Britain – from understanding labour market trends and policy impacts such as the National Living Wage, to how to directly support workers via technology and social entrepreneurship.

At a webinar to mark the launch of Low Pay Britain on Monday 7 June, we will hear from BEIS Minister Paul Scully MP and UNISON General Secretary Christina McAnea on how low-paid workers have been affected by the pandemic, and how they can be supported in the Covid recovery. Viewers will be able to ask questions before and during the event.

Then on Tuesday 8 June, we will host a webinar for social entrepreneurs as part of our new Workertech programme, where four experts will share insights into funding, designing and deploying technology to improve the world of work.