The Institute for Fiscal Studies presents new research into spending patterns over the first nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in relation to geographical area. The report further provides analysis of the impact of public health restrictions in the UK on spending, for example the closing of hospitality and non-essential retail, and how consumer activity changes when restrictions are imposed.
Key findings from the report include:
– The South of England saw the biggest decline in spending, driven by London with spending falling by around 40% here in April. Recovery seems to be slower than the rest of the country with the South still 7% below pre-crisis spending levels compared with 3% nationally.
– High-income and less-deprived areas had a larger fall in spending than others, reducing geographic inequality in spending to some extent.
– The first lockdown had the most impact, with total spending falling by a third in April and the second lockdown having a much smaller effect. This could be due to less severe restrictions but also businesses and consumers adapting their provision to be compliant, for example, moving to online services.
Read the full report and download the data set here
Supporting the Third Sector through COVID-19
A series of documents and updates regarding the 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Programme and the response to COVID-19 can be accessed here.
As ever, our dedicated CSI Representatives are here to understand and unpack the issues that the third sector is facing within the current ESIF programme which are affecting their ability to use European funds effectively.
So that we can raise these issues at government level on your behalf and pro-actively work for solutions, we’re asking Third Sector organisations to tell us their experiences using these funds, in light of the outbreak of COVID-19. Please contact us via info@civilsocietyinvolvement.com
