Fast rising participation in the workforce was an important driver of growth in the 2010s, helping to offset the impacts of a productivity and wage stagnation. But that progress has gone into reverse in the wake of the pandemic, with older workers in particular exiting the workforce, prompting the government to launch a major review. This trend brings challenges for the economy and public finances, though for individuals and families the story is far more nuanced. There are ‘good’ and ‘bad’ reasons to stop working.
Who is exiting the workforce, and why are they doing so now? Is this a temporary post-pandemic blip or a sign of things to come as Britain’s population ages rapidly in the 2020s? How much should government focus on bringing people back into the labour market who dropped out during the pandemic? Or should it focus its efforts instead on groups – such as mothers, and people with disabilities – who have always been under-represented in the workforce?
The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate and answer these questions. Following a presentation of the key highlights from major new Resolution Foundation research on economic inactivity, we will hear from leading experts about how Britain can boost the size of its workforce in the 2020s.
The event will be open for people to physically attend, alongside being broadcast via YouTube and the Resolution Foundation website. Viewers will be able to submit questions to the panel before and during the event via Slido.
Speakers
Sir Stephen Timms MP, Former Shadow Minister for Employment
Louise Hellem, Director of Economic Policy at the CBI
Dr Fiona Aldridge, Head of Insight at West Midlands Combined Authority
Louise Murphy, Economist at the Resolution Foundation
Torsten Bell, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation (Chair)
