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Furloughing and COVID-19: assessing regulatory reform of the state

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  • David A Spencer
  • Mark Stuart
  • Chris Forde
  • Christopher J McLachlan

Abstract

This article assesses regulatory reform of the state in the context of the move to furloughing in the UK. It establishes that furloughing was a successful response to the COVID-19 crisis, partly because it challenged the traditional UK crisis response of non-state intervention in the labour market. Furloughing prevented higher unemployment and enabled a swifter recovery. The article also identifies the limits of furloughing (not least its temporary nature) but argues that key lessons from furloughing (including the direct support for job retention) should be used to devise new state policies aimed at promoting a more sustainable and equal economy.

Suggested Citation

  • David A Spencer & Mark Stuart & Chris Forde & Christopher J McLachlan, 2023. "Furloughing and COVID-19: assessing regulatory reform of the state," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 16(1), pages 81-91.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cjrecs:v:16:y:2023:i:1:p:81-91.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/cjres/rsac026
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    Cited by:

    1. Mia Gray & Michael Kitson & Linda Lobao & Ron Martin, 2023. "Understanding the post-COVID state and its geographies," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18.

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