Policy Showcase: Working from Home, Regional Inequalities and Local Economic Development

Organised by Prof Jonathan Payne and hosted by the Institute for Responsible Business and Social Justice (IRBSJ), De Montfort University.

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic witnessed a significant increase in working from home. Today, working from home for some or part of the working week is a substantial feature of the UK economy and many others. The so-called ‘zoom-shock’ revolution has, in turn, sparked considerable debate, not least in terms of the implications for the UK’s long-standing and deep regional disparities, the under-performance of its ‘second tier’ cities, poor productivity and the wider challenge of ‘inclusive growth’ and social inclusion. Is this a game-changer, or might it at least present some opportunities (as well as challenges) for local actors concerned to attract and retain highly skilled labour as way of boosting their local economies? What are the implications for employers, employees and those currently outside of the labour market? How are local areas, urban labour markets and even criminal activity changing as result of these new working arrangements and how can local actors harness these developments for economic and social good? These are big and important questions which are central to the concerns and interests of the IRBSJ.

This policy showcase brings together researchers who have been exploring these questions through an ESRC ‘sandpit’ project grant, along with other academics interested in working from home, local economic development, inclusive growth and the complex relationship with skills. The showcase is aimed at policy makers, employers, trade unions, third sector organisations and academics interested in these issues.

Agenda

1300: Introduction (Prof Jonathan Payne)

1305: Regional differentials, changing working patterns and high-skilled labour mobility – results from an ESRC ‘sandpit’ project

Dr David McCollum (University of St. Andrews), Mr Ian Taylor (City-REDI Associate at the University of Birmingham), Prof Jonathan Payne (DMU), Prof Jackie Wahba (University of Southampton) and Prof Anne Green (City-REDI University of Birmingham).

13.40. How does home-based work change our cities and urban labour markets? Lessons from the last five years

Prof Jesse Matheson, University of Sheffield

14.15 Tea and Coffee Break

14.25 From low skills equilibrium to inclusive growth: An East Midlands policy perspective

Prof Will Rossiter, Nottingham University Business School

15.00 Plenary discussion and key take-aways (chaired by Dr Amarachi Amaugo and Prof Jonathan Payne)

15.30 Close