Call for Evidence

UK labour supply

 Call for evidence

The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee, chaired by Lord Bridges of Headley, is launching an inquiry on recent trends in the UK labour market.

Recent statistics show that labour shortages are acute, with vacancies still at record levels and above pre-pandemic levels in all industries. The Committee is seeking evidence to help it to answer the following questions:

1. What are the recent trends in labour supply? How large are reductions in the size of the labour force? 
2. Which sectors and regions are most affected? Are the public and private sectors affected differently?
3. Which people have been leaving the labour market? What is the socio-economic and demographic breakdown?
4. What factors are contributing to reductions in the size of the labour force? 
5. What effect are wage levels having on the supply of labour?
6. How do recent changes in the UK’s labour supply compare with those in other developed countries?

This is a public call for written evidence. The deadline for submissions is Friday 30 September 2022.

The Committee is looking to hear from as diverse a range of views as possible—if you think someone you know would have an interest in contributing to the inquiry, please pass this on to them.

Short, concise submissions are preferred. Responses should not be longer than five sides of A4. The Committee cannot accept anything that has not been prepared specifically in response to this call for evidence, or that has been published elsewhere.