Pandemic has ‘wiped out’ decade of progress, report warns

Unemployment in older industrial areas is now above levels experienced 10 years ago, according to a new report.

The new report was commissioned by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Industrial Communities Alliance from researchers at Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, warns there may be more redundancies to come in the Spring.

It looks at the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the economy, labour market and public health of older industrial towns, the former coalfields and the main regional cities of the Midlands, North, Scotland and Wales.

According to the report, between February and November 2020, unemployment rose by 310,000 in older industrial towns, 100,000 in the former coalfields and 140,000 in the main regional cities.

And over the year to November, the number of 16-24 year olds claiming unemployment benefit in older industrial Britain roughly doubled.

The report also found over the whole pandemic up to the start of 2021, the rate of confirmed infections in older industrial Britain was on average 10-20 per cent above the UK average – a reflection, perhaps, of the lower share of the workforce able to work from home in places with fewer office jobs and more factories and warehouses.

‘Once again, we are left to try to pick up the pieces as our communities are hit hard by another crisis,’ said the chair of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Peter McNestry.

‘After the major losses of industry throughout the coalfields, then the government’s measures of 10 years of austerity, the effect of the pandemic cannot be ignored.

‘This report provides the evidence in black and white that more needs to be done if our residents are ever to have a chance of moving forward.

‘The government needs to keep levelling up firmly on the agenda and rather than talk about change, make it happen,’ added Mr McNestry.

‘We have provided detailed plans and strategies that will make a lasting and positive difference for generations, yet we cannot work alone.

‘The impact of this pandemic will remain long after the UK economy is reporting recovery. We urge the government to focus on these forgotten communities, those most in need, before it is too late.’

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