Women in London are more likely than men to be unemployed or
economically inactive, and were more likely to have had their
working hours reduced or been placed on furlough earlier in the
pandemic, according to new analysis publicised today – on
International Women’s Day – by the Mayor of London, .
City Hall analysis of ONS data shows that:
- The unemployment rate for women in London is currently higher
than for men. In London, female unemployment was 7.2 per cent in
the three months to December, compared to 6.7 per cent for men.
- Unemployment among women in London has increased 3.5
percentage points over the last year, compared to 2 percentage
points for men – suggesting that more women who were previously
on furlough have subsequently lost their jobs and become
unemployed than men.
- Economic inactivity is more prevalent among women than men,
both in London and nationally. The female economic inactivity
rate is 23.2 per cent in London compared with 24.5 per cent
across the entire UK, while the male rate is 16.1 per cent in the
capital compared with 17.3 cent nationally.
The figures published today follow research commissioned by Sadiq
last year which revealed that women have experienced
disproportionate economic, social and psychological impacts of
the Covid-19 pandemic. Mothers were 47 per cent more likely than
fathers to have lost their jobs or resigned from their jobs, and
14 per cent more likely to have been furloughed. [1]
There has also been a very concerning increase in domestic abuse
over the last year, with calls to the National Domestic Abuse
Helpline increasing by 49 per cent in the three weeks after the
first lockdown on 23 March, and the Metropolitan Police recorded
a 6 per cent increase in domestic abuse offences between March
2020 to December 2020 – compared to the same period in 2019. In
2020 as a whole more than 94,500 domestic abuse offences were
recorded. [2]
Since 2016, the Mayor has invested a record £62.7m in tackling
all violence against women and girls, which is working to save
lives, reduce waiting lists and keep doors open for vital
specialist support services for victims. City Hall has also
invested £2.5m in innovative programmes focused on addressing the
behaviour of perpetrators of abuse.
Today on International Women’s Day, the Mayor reaffirms his
commitment to ensuring London’s recovery from the pandemic
creates a city where all women are safe and can thrive.
Sadiq is working with global leaders and sharing best practice
internationally through ‘CHANGE’ (City Hub and Network for Gender
Equity) – a ground-breaking international network of cities
committed to advancing gender equality which London co-founded
last year.
Sadiq has been developing best practice policy to tackle gender
inequality. In London, he has championed annual reporting on the
gender pay gap which is now almost zero, as well as making
provision for shared parental leave to offer new parents
increased choice. Last year, almost three-quarters of learners
whose courses were funded by the Adult Education Budget – which
Sadiq is responsible for – were women.
The Mayor of London, , said: “As
a proud feminist, I will never stop striving to improve the lives
of women and girls in London. The analysis I have published today
exposes the unacceptable gender inequalities in our city that
have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
“I am committed to ensuring our city’s recovery from this
pandemic works for women. Through my London Recovery Board we
will address the pattern of rising unemployment and economic
inequalities, and ensure our city is a safe place where all women
can thrive.”
Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “Home
has not always been a safe place for everyone during the pandemic
and we have seen an increase in cases of domestic abuse during
lockdown. On International Women’s Day, as we reflect on the
impact the pandemic has had on women’s lives, I am deeply worried
about the long-term impact the COVID-19 crisis will have on
levels of domestic abuse. We know that the adverse economic
impacts of the pandemic increase the vulnerability of women to
domestic abuse. City Hall has been funding safe spaces and
specialist support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse
and their children since the first lockdown, helping to support
over 250 victims and 100 children to flee to safety. But we need
to see continued and long-term investment from the Government in
refuge and community services that are struggling to meet rising
demand.”
ENDS
[1] Rapid evidence review: Inequalities in relation to Covid-19
and their effects on London -
https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/rapid-evidence-review-inequalities-in-relation-to-covid-19-and-their-effects-on-london
[2]
https://www.met.police.uk/sd/stats-and-data/met/hate-crime-dashboard/
Notes to editors
The London Recovery Board is convened by the Mayor with London
Councils, and has produced a detailed framework and plan for
recovery based on extensive consultation with stakeholders and
the public:
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/recovery_programme_overview.pdf
Domestic abuse is an economic issue – for its victims and for
society, Child Poverty Action Group, 2019:
https://cpag.org.uk/news-blogs/news-listings/domestic-abuse-economic-issue-%E2%80%93-its-victims-and-society
