The Committee was appointed in June 2020 to consider the long-term implications of the pandemic on the economic and societal wellbeing of the UK.  The inquiry into the impact of the pandemic on towns and cities opened on 24 May, and the Committee will hear oral evidence in June and July.  The closing date for written submissions is 30 June.

Following its work exploring the long-term impact of our increasing reliance on digital technology on our social and economic wellbeing, and its latest inquiry on the long-term impact of the pandemic on parents and families, the Committee has decided to concentrate on the future of large towns and smaller cities for its next inquiry.

The Inquiry

This inquiry will look at the long-term impact of the pandemic on large towns and smaller cities.  The Committee is keen to learn more about the impact of the pandemic on housing and green spaces, the changing nature of employment and public transport within large towns and smaller cities, and how this may increase or decrease inequality. The Committee would also like to understand more about developing and implementing an innovative vision for the future of towns and cities, and how we can create more equal towns and cities in future

 The Committee will also explore the potential to develop and implement an innovative vision for the future of towns and cities, especially how we create more equal towns and cities.

Call for Evidence Questions

The Committee is looking for written submissions on any or all of the following questions:

Housing and green spaces

1. What is the long-term impact of the pandemic likely to be on housing and green spaces in towns and cities?
2. How might this increase, or decrease, inequalities within towns and cities?
3. How might this increase, or decrease, inequalities between towns and cities?
4. What action is needed from the UK Government, town and cities leaders, and others to mitigate the risk of any increasing inequalities?
5. How could the UK Government, town and cities leaders, and others use their response to the pandemic to reduce inequalities in housing and green spaces?

The changing nature of employment

1. How will the pandemic change the nature of employment? And what will be the long-term impact of this change on towns and cities?
2. How might this increase, or decrease, inequalities within towns and cities?
3. How might this increase, or decrease, inequalities between towns and cities?
4. What action is needed from the UK Government, town and cities leaders, and others to mitigate the risk of any change in the nature of employment?
5. How could the UK Government, town and cities leaders, and others use their response to the pandemic to reduce inequalities in employment?

Public transport

1. What is the long-term impact of the pandemic likely to be on public transport in towns and cities?
2. How might this increase, or decrease, inequalities within towns and cities?
3. How might this increase, or decrease, inequalities between towns and cities?
4. What action is needed from the UK Government, town and cities leaders, and others to mitigate the risk of any increasing inequalities?
5. How could the UK Government, town and cities leaders, and others use their response to the pandemic to reduce inequalities in public transport?

Timetable

The Committee intends to hear oral evidence in June and July; the closing date for written submissions is 30 June.

Source: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/460/covid19-committee/news/155407/the-impact-of-covid19-on-towns-and-cities-explored-by-committee/

IoL Response

IoL members are asked to submit their views on the questions within the Call for Evidence using this survey.  Responses received via this survey will inform the IoL response to the Select Committee.

This survey will close on 20 June to allow time to compile the IoL response.

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