This is the fourth of a series of bulletins produced by ISE to update members on key data and policy on Covid-19. This bulletin just covers the period 09/04/2020-15/04/2020.

You can access all of the Covid-19 bulletins on the ISE website.

Data taken from Wikipedia.

Detailed commentary on the number of deaths published by the Office for National Statistics. The data suggests that the number of deaths is 15% higher than in previous years.

Politics, policy and government

• Opposition political parties argue that parliament should be recalled to address the Covid-19 crisis.
• There is no clear plan or timetable for exiting lockdown. The Scientific Advisory Committee for Emergencies will be meeting to discuss the key metrics that should be used.
• The Labour Party announces its new Education Team: Rebecca Long-Bailey (Shadow Secretary of State), Margaret Greenwood (Schools), Emma Hardy (FE & Universities), Toby Perkins (Apprenticeship, Lifelong Learning & Careers), and Tulip Siddiq (Early Years).
• The lockdown is increasing inequality argues Issac Tabner from the University of Sterling. See also John Harris in The Guardian and Steve Schifferes in The Conversation.

Education

• Universities UK argues that government needs to provide additional funding to support the higher education sector through the Covid-19 crisis.
• Most university students want their exams to take place online rather than be cancelled.
• BTECS and other vocational qualifications are likely to be graded in a similar way to the GCSEs and A levels. FE Week summarise the approach and provide links to key documents.
• Gavin Williamson (Education Secretary) is keen to reopen schools, but is unable to set a date for when this will happen.
• The Children’s Commissioner calls for schools to open in the summer.

Economy

The Office for Budget Responsibility predict a 35% fall in UK GDP.
A recession now looks certain following Covid-19. The question is what shape this recession is going to be. Economists from the International Institute for Management Development and the University of Zurich predict that it will be wheelbarrow shaped (a long recession with a slow recovery).
The government has created a new business support hub to help businesses during the crisis. The CBI have also created a coronavirus hub offering information and resources for businesses.

Labour market

• The number of new jobs advertised continues to drop. Sales and customer service occupations are worst hit.

The student labour market

Data taken from the ISE supplier survey.

• Concerns about the student labour market continue to grow.
• How is the UK graduate labour market faring? Commentary from Charlie Ball.
• Covid-19 update. ISE webinar looking at recent Covid-19 news and its impact on the student employment market.
• Tristram Hooley discusses Covid-19 and social justice on The New Normal podcast.

Recruiting during Covid-19

• An employers guide to Covid-19 released by ISE.
• 5 tips for engaging educators during lockdown (ISE blog from Tom Freeman)
• The Student Employer Issue 11 is released and contains articles on the sector’s response to Covid-19.
• Redefining employability in the age of Covid-19. Blog by Tristram Hooley for HEPI.

Employer insights

The following insights are based on ISE’s interactions with employers during the period covered by this briefing.

• Recruitment. Recruitment processes are increasingly moving online.
• Placement students. Firms report some problems in dealing with the end of year long placement students. In some cases these students have been placed on furlough and employers are having to agree new processes with their university partners to ensure that this does not cause problems for the students on their current degree programme.
• Interns. Some firm’s are cancelling summer internships. Others are starting interns virtually in the hope that they might be able to return to their offices during the summer. Still others are offering a reduced (virtual) experience for their interns rather than a full internship.
• Graduates completing programmes. Concerns about the wider market for their services is leading some organisations to struggle to find places for all of the graduates who are completing their programmes. In some graduate programmes hires are only placed in the business at the end of their programme and sometimes even need to formally apply for roles. This creates another pinch point for the employment of early career hires. In some cases employers are extending graduates initial contract while the business considers how to manage this situation.
• Reputation. The need to cancel, reduce and change recruitment raises a range of reputational issues for employers. Employers are actively managing the relationships that they have with students who may be disappointed or find that their start dates are subject to change.