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COVID-19 and the labour market outcomes of disabled people in the UK

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  • Jones, Melanie

Abstract

The economic impact of COVID-19 has exacerbated inequalities in society, but disability has been neglected. This paper contributes to this knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of the differential labour market impact of COVID-19 by disability in the UK. Using data from the Labour Force Survey before and during the pandemic it estimates disability gaps in pre-pandemic risk factors, as well as changes in labour market inequality nearly one year on. Disabled workers are found to face higher COVID-19-related economic and health risks, including being more likely to work in ‘shutdown’ industries, and in occupations with greater proximity to others and exposure to disease. However, established measures of inequality, including the disability employment and pay gap suggest limited impact of COVID-19 in 2020. Nevertheless, the increase in the probability of being temporarily away from work, even among otherwise comparable workers, is 40% higher for disabled workers and consistent with disproportionate use of the government's job retention scheme. While the reasons for this are likely to be complex, there is a risk that it will contribute to future disability-related labour market inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Jones, Melanie, 2022. "COVID-19 and the labour market outcomes of disabled people in the UK," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:292:y:2022:i:c:s0277953621009692
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114637
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Platt, Lucinda & Warwick, Ross, 2020. "COVID-19 and ethnic Inequalities in England and Wales," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 105576, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    14. Melanie Jones & Kim Hoque & Victoria Wass & Nick Bacon, 2021. "Inequality and the Economic Cycle: Disabled Employees’ Experience of Work during the Great Recession in Britain," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 59(3), pages 788-815, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ercolani, Marco G. & Lazarova, Emiliya, 2024. "The UK Disability Discrimination Act 2005: Consequences for the education and employment of older children," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    2. Jones, Melanie, 2024. "The disability pay gap in the UK: What is the role of the public sector?," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    3. Bryan, Mark & Bryce, Andrew & Rice, Nigel & Roberts, Jennifer & Sechel, Cristina, 2022. "Exploring mental health disability gaps in the labour market: the UK experience during COVID-19," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    4. Edward J D & David Meads & Clare Gardiner, 2023. "The informal carer experience during the COVID-19 pandemic: mental health, loneliness, and financial (in)-security," Oxford Open Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 2, pages 428-442.
    5. Ameri, Mason & Kruse, Douglas L. & Park, So Ri & Rodgers, Yana van der Meulen & Schur, Lisa, 2022. "Telework during the Pandemic: Patterns, Challenges, and Opportunities for People with Disabilities," IZA Discussion Papers 15755, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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