In the week since the Prime Minister set out his four stage plan for easing lockdown restrictions, minds have understandably turned to life after the pandemic. Who will we see, where will we go, what is it that we’ve missed most in 12 months of socially distanced life? In the rush to return to near normality, it’s vital we don’t lose sight of the legacy of the pandemic. One thing is sure – this virus is going to have a long tail, impacting on individuals, communities, and public policy for years to come.

The Resolution Foundation’s latest report, examining the impact of the pandemic on the labour market, has shone a spotlight on the issue, uncovering a new feature of the crisis in the large numbers of workers who have spent extended periods on furlough. The headline finding is that 1.9 million people had spent the last six months unemployed or on full furlough.