The COVID-19 shock: continuity and change in labour markets and employment policies in Japan and the UK
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Political Economy
Abstract
This project will compare the labour market impacts and policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK and Japan. The COVID-19 pandemic is a sudden and drastic global shock, but has had very different impacts in different labour markets, and this shock will influence future labour market trends even after the immediate health crisis has been resolved. Identifying the similarities and diversity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market and policy responses, as well as the changes in the perceptions and behaviour of people, companies, and governments, can contribute to finding solutions to the common medium- and long-term problems that predated the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this regard, Japan and UK are two unique and very suitable countries for comparative study in that we observe features of both divergence and convergence in labour markets and policy responses. For example, the characteristics of the labour markets of Japan and UK are very different, but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market was similar in terms of unemployment. By identifying further areas of convergence and divergence, and analysing the effectiveness of policy responses, we will clarify the short-term and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on several aspects of labour market and inequality trends; explore whether the COVID-19 shock exacerbated/intensified or mitigated existing megatrends and challenges; and analyse policy implications.
In this regard, Japan and UK are two unique and very suitable countries for comparative study in that we observe features of both divergence and convergence in labour markets and policy responses. For example, the characteristics of the labour markets of Japan and UK are very different, but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market was similar in terms of unemployment. By identifying further areas of convergence and divergence, and analysing the effectiveness of policy responses, we will clarify the short-term and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on several aspects of labour market and inequality trends; explore whether the COVID-19 shock exacerbated/intensified or mitigated existing megatrends and challenges; and analyse policy implications.
Publications
Blundell R
(2022)
Inequality and the COVID-19 Crisis in the United Kingdom
in Annual Review of Economics
Portes J
(2023)
The impact of the post-Brexit migration system on the UK labour market
in Contemporary Social Science
Portes J
(2023)
The Impact of the Post-Brexit Migration System on the UK Labour Market
in SSRN Electronic Journal
Portes J
(2022)
Immigration and the UK economy after Brexit
in Oxford Review of Economic Policy
Portes J
(2023)
The Impact of the Post-Brexit Migration System on the UK Labour Market
in SSRN Electronic Journal
Description | Very different patterns in the trajectory of post-pandemic inequality in Japan and the UK, driven by different labour market responses. Research is ongoing |
Exploitation Route | Award still in progress |
Sectors | Education Government Democracy and Justice |
Description | Media coverage in multiple national outlets (FT, etc) of research on immigration to the UK post Brexit/covid |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Press release, interviews, articles etc on the impact of Brexit/covid on immigration and the UK labour market. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.ft.com/content/11414939-5fb6-48bd-8b84-baa0819fe821 |
Description | Media coverage in national and international outlets on labour market and othter economic developments in UK post-covid |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | See above. Multiple media articles and interviews, see eg https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/29/world/europe/israel-hamas-war-uk-parliament.html https://www.ft.com/content/6d044f4b-18a8-4987-b39e-804778a85747 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023,2024 |
URL | https://www.ft.com/content/6d044f4b-18a8-4987-b39e-804778a85747 |