Research reports are telling us vital information on how COVID-19 is impacting our communities and the economy, and offer up expert-based recommendations on what needs to change to truly build back better – now is the time to listen.

Earlier this year, we released our own report, ‘Rethinking the Economy for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future’ (The Women’s Organisation, October 2020), offering a recovery plan and fresh approach on how we can build back not only better, but different, to create a greener, fairer, and thriving Liverpool City Region and national economy.

As the pandemic continues to hit business, industry and communities, more reports are highlighting emerging themes that call for urgent action. For example, the pandemic’s impact on women, the gender pay gap, entrepreneurship, working hours and the Green Economy.

Now, we are calling on Government, business and industry leaders, to listen and take urgent action in response to these expert-led recommendations.

We’ve rounded up the key headlines and recommendations of some of the most useful reports coming out of the COVID-19 crisis, you can read these here: What are COVID-19 reports telling us

 

So, what themes do the reports agree on?

 

Women’s Voices

The key ask: Bring Women to the decision-making table

See the infographic and recommendations here: Women’s Voices Infographic

 

 

The Gender Pay Gap

The key asks:

  1. Re-instate gender pay gap reporting
  2. Introduce legislation to make all jobs flexible
  3. Share best practice of which gender pay policies are most effective
See the infographic and recommendations here: Gender Pay Gap Infographic

 

 

Data Reporting

The key ask: Report sex-disaggregated data

See the infographic and recommendations here: Data Reporting Infographic

 

 

Funding

The key asks:

  1. Extend COVID Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) funding to Company Directors
  2. Actively promote funding schemes towards female entrepreneurs
See the infographic and recommendations here: Funding Infographic

 

 

Business Support

The key asks:

  1. Provide and invest in support specifically designed for:

    – People of BAME groups

    – Women

  2. Prioritise clear communication to entrepreneurs

See the infographic and recommendations here: Business Support Infographic

 

 

Self-employed & Micro Business

The key asks:

  1. Invest in and expand effective support for self-employed and micro businesses
  2. Tackle issues associated with self-employment such as access to funding and lack of diverse representation in SMEs
  3. Ensure sector is a provider of viable, sustainable, and good quality employment
See the infographic and recommendations here: Self Employed and Micro Businesses Infographic

 

 

The Care sector

The key asks:

  1. Develop and implement a transformational approach to the design and delivery of investment in the sector
  2. Set and achieve progressive targets for diversity, inclusivity, and intersectionality
  3. Parity of esteem with NHS staffing and pay structures
See the infographic and recommendations here: Care Sector Infographic

 

 

The Social Economy

The key asks:

  1. Invest in the Social Economy sector

  2. Establish a clear sector strategy which prioritises the growth of the sector through its socially trading organisations

See the infographic and recommendations here: Social Economy Infographic

 

 

The Green Economy

The key asks:

  1. Make buildings fit for the future
  2. Deploy large scale greening of public and community spaces
  3. Pedestrianize public spaces
  4. Encourage and equip the use of clean transport methods
See the infographic and recommendations here: Green Economy Inforgraphic

 

 

Economic Wealth

The key asks:

  1. Redesign how economic wealth is measured

  2. Re-evaluate drivers of economic growth

See the infographic and recommendations here: Economic Wealth Infographic

 

You can access all the reports referenced below: