Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Overview of measures by country
Eurofound has identified 42 measures in United Kingdom in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the digital transformation, the green transition, and companies undergoing restructuring. Most cases fall into the category Protection of workers, adaptation of workplace with 9 cases (21%). The data collection to date started in March 2020, and data are updated at regular intervals.
This overview was prepared by Claire Evans (Warwick University) and Eurofound.
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
15 April 2020 |
Mobilisation of retired health service and other emergency service workers
Mobilisation of a larger workforce |
23 June 2022 |
Sector Skills Councils
Smoothing frictions or reallocation of workers |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
12 April 2020 Updated |
Coronavirus business interruption loan scheme for SMEs
Access to finance |
12 April 2020 Updated |
COVID corporate financing facility
Access to finance |
13 April 2020 Updated |
Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Deferral of payments or liabilities |
13 April 2020 |
Tax deferrals self-assessment July 2020 payment on account
Deferral of payments or liabilities |
23 June 2022 |
Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme (EFG)
Access to finance |
Non-binding recommendations or other texts |
14 September 2020 |
The Confederation of British Industries (CBI) examines the opportunities to accelerate progress to net-zero emissions
Access to finance |
Other initiatives or policies |
09 July 2020 Updated |
The Bounce Back Loan Scheme
Access to finance |
09 July 2020 |
The Future Fund Scheme
Access to finance |
11 January 2021 |
Businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure sectors to receive one-off lockdown grants
Direct subsidies (full or partial) |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
31 March 2020 Updated |
Coronavirus job retention scheme
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
23 June 2022 |
Insolvency Service
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
Other initiatives or policies |
14 September 2020 |
Public sector union Unison launches COVID-19 hardship fund for members
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
03 October 2020 Updated |
The new Jobs Support Scheme
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
23 June 2022 |
Intellectual Property Attaché Network
Change of production/innovation |
Company practices |
01 December 2020 |
Brewdog: Protecting staff, business and community
Change of production/innovation |
01 December 2020 |
Siemens Healthineers: Company supports staff volunteering at the National Health Service
Transfer or redeployment of workers |
Other initiatives or policies |
14 September 2020 |
Confederation of British Industries' online coronavirus hub
Other |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
23 June 2022 |
Women in Innovation Awards
Changes of management approach |
Company practices |
01 December 2020 |
'Better Food': Response to the Pandemic
Well-being of workers |
01 December 2020 |
BAE Systems: Social distancing measures help staff return to work safely
Changes of working hours or work arrangements |
02 December 2020 |
The Mental Health Matters charity: Well-being packages for employees
Well-being of workers |
02 December 2020 |
British Land: Safe commuting in the return to work
Well-being of workers |
10 March 2021 |
Nationwide's job guarantee during the pandemic
Teleworking arrangements, remote working |
11 March 2021 |
Digital Learning and Development at NHS Blood and Transplant service
Changes in work organisation |
Other initiatives or policies |
14 September 2020 |
Teaching unions' coronavirus online information hubs
Well-being of workers |
15 September 2020 |
COVID-19 coronavirus guidance for unions
Well-being of workers |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
31 March 2020 Updated |
Self-employed income support scheme
Extensions of income support to workers not covered by any kind of protection scheme |
13 April 2020 Updated |
Reclaiming of statutory sick pay by SMEs
Paid sick leave |
14 April 2020 Updated |
Changes to statutory sick pay (SSP)
Paid sick leave |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
14 April 2020 |
Mortgage and rent protective provisions
Keeping or obtaining a safe home |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Governmental GBP 500 million fund for council tax relief for people in need
Preventing over-indebtedness |
Company practices |
01 December 2020 |
Anglian Water: Giving back to the community during crisis
Protection of vulnerable groups (beyond employment support) |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
23 June 2022 |
Rapid Response Service (RRS)
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
23 June 2022 |
Union Learning Fund (ULF)
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
23 June 2022 |
Union learning representatives (ULRs)
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
23 June 2022 |
PACE- Partnership Action for Continuing Employment
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
Company practices |
11 March 2021 |
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities: A pilot to overhaul hiring processes in the wake of COVID
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
Other initiatives or policies |
08 July 2020 Updated |
The Kickstart Initiative and incentivising apprenticeships
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
14 September 2020 |
Confederation of British Industry issues business guidance
Other |
15 September 2020 |
Trades Union Congress: Policy Recommendations for the post COVID-19 Economic and Social Recovery
Other |
30 January 2023
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Article12 September 2022
Although the worldwide pandemic situation had already disrupted supply chains and triggered increases in energy and food prices in 2021, the situation deteriorated in 2022 with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Article12 September 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses that governments across the EU have started to implement to support companies affected by the rising prices, and those with commercial ties to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus.
Article5 July 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses of EU Member States, including those of the social partners and other civil society actors, enabling refugees to exercise their rights under the Temporary Protection Directive.
ArticleDisclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.