The government must assess equality impact of every policy or risk turning the clock back, according to a new report by Women and Equalities Committee.
Research by Dr Christopher Rauh, a University Lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Cambridge, was cited in many parts of the report, and says “this pandemic was both unexpected in its arrival, and its impact. In particular, our studies have found that those in insecure work, including zero-hours arrangements and temporary employment, suffered greater falls in earnings and hours over the pandemic than those on more secure contracts.”
“The pandemic has caused great disruption to care responsibilities. The gender gap in total childcare time increased over the pandemic; women increased the number of hours devoted to care by more than men, putting an additional burden on working mothers,” adds Dr Rauh.
The report calls on the Government to conduct an Equality Impact Assessment of schemes to support employees and the self-employed, and the Self Employed Income Support Scheme. This should draw on existing inequalities. This would better protect those already at a disadvantage in the labour market, including women, and could inform more effective responses to future crises.
The full report, called Unequal impact? Coronavirus and the gendered economic impact is available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/319/unequal-impact-coronavirus-and-the-gendered-economic-impact/publications/
