Calderdale residents asked to share their views on economic impact of pandemic

Members of the Council’s Scrutiny Board have been examining economic inequalities arising from the coronavirus pandemic in Calderdale and exploring the ways this has impacted people’s lives.

So far, this research has been conducted through online focus group sessions, initially with specific groups identified as being disproportionately impacted by the crisis.

This has included Calderdale’s young people, minority communities, people with disabilities, people in insecure and low-income jobs.

The Board would now like to hear from all Calderdale residents about their experiences and the ways in which their economic situation has been impacted by COVID.

A short online survey is now available to capture the views of as many Calderdale residents as possible. The deadline for responses is Friday 5 February 2021.

Respondents can provide as much or as little detail as they feel comfortable with.

All responses will be used to prepare a report which will be discussed at the Place Scrutiny Board meeting on Thursday February 25 2021. The report will also be used to help inform the Council’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

Member of the Place Scrutiny Board, Councillor Roisin Cavanagh, who has been leading the review, said: “We know that the economic shock and hardship associated with the COVID pandemic has not affected everybody equally. We want to understand the economic issues that people are facing to help inform our recovery plan.

“This review is being driven by what Calderdale people tell us directly about their experiences. Throughout November and December last year we have been listening to people through a number of online focus group sessions. This survey now allows any Calderdale resident to tell us about their experiences and views at their leisure.”