The COVID-19 crisis had a significant impact on the labour market across the UK and in London.
The labour market in both London and the UK has so far experienced a partial recovery from the pandemic, with positive trends in relation to the number of jobs and levels of unemployment.
However, the current employment rate remains below pre-pandemic levels, and there has been a substantial rise in economic inactivity as a result of long-term sickness [1].
The latest figures show that London’s unemployment rate is the second highest when compared to other regions in England [2].
The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s London Quarterly Skills Survey in November 2022 found that more than two-thirds of London’s businesses, and nearly all companies with between 10 and 249 employees, reported skills gaps in their businesses [3].
What is the state of London’s post-pandemic labour market, including employment trends, vacancies, skills gaps and working practices? The London Assembly Economy Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss this, for the first of two meetings on London’s labour market.
The guests are:
- Alex Conway, Assistant Director, Economic Development and Performance, Greater London Authority (GLA)
- Matthew Jaffa, Senior External Affairs Manager for London, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
- Becci Newton, Director, Public Policy Research, Institute for Employment Studies (IES)
- Naomi Clayton, Deputy Director for Research and Development, Learning and Work Institute
- Sam Gurney, Regional Secretary, Trades Union Congress (TUC) London, East and South East Region
The meeting will take place on Thursday 13 July from 2pm in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Institute for Employment Studies, Labour Market Statistics May 2023
- ONS Labour market in the regions of the UK: July 2023
- London Quarterly Skills Survey London Business Publications | Policy & Campaigning, November 2022
- Full agenda papers.
- Marina Ahmad AM, Chair of the Economy Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Economy Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.