Fresh analysis from the RSA, based on the latest furloughing data from the ONS and the jobs profile for each local authority, gives a new, up-to-date, robust and localised insight into which areas of Great Britain are set to be most and least affected by economic insecurity

Coastal and rural areas dominate the top 20 areas which are affected with large hospitality and tourism sectors a key contributor to an increased risk factor.

TOP TWENTY: AREAS MOST AT RISK

(Data in the table above produced and published by the RSA)

Areas with the highest proportion of jobs in the knowledge economy are least at risk. These are heavily concentrated in Oxbridge, London, and the capital's commuter belt. But even in these areas, around one-in-five jobs is rated ‘high-risk’ based on the furloughing data.

To tackle this, the RSA calls for a new ‘social contract’ – the agreement of rights and responsibilities between the state, employers and employees – with a focus on universal economic security and reskilling.

Alan Lockey, head of the RSA Future Work Centre, said:

“No part of the country is likely to be spared a severe recession, but those most dependent on hospitality and tourism will be particularly badly hit, especially rural areas, including many Tory shires.

“The government’s response so far has been robust, but it must avoid going back to ‘business as usual’ – including Universal Credit, sanctions and means-testing – if it’s to avoid the devastating impact of prolonged unemployment on whole swathes of the population.

“Covid-19 only highlights the need for a welfare state which addresses the economic insecurity felt by growing numbers of people in the UK."

- Read the full article produced by the RSA here