Scottish Parliament's COVID Recovery Committee to visit two Lanarkshire employment support services

The Scottish Parliament's COVID-19 Recovery Committee will meet with employees and service users of two Lanarkshire employment support organisations next week.Representatives will visit Routes to Work and Remploy in Airdrie on November 28 as part of an inquiry into the impact of the pandemic on Scotland's labour market.The committee inquiry focuses on "understanding the impact of the long-term sick component on economically inactive people, as well as people who have chosen early retirement".The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Although employment rates have recovered since the earlier stages of the pandemic, labour market inactivity rates remain high.The UK is the only country in the developed world where people have continued dropping out of the labour market in significant numbers.To explore the reasons behind this, the committee will participate in a round-table discussion with clients, partners and employers involved in Routes to Work.This service helps unemployed residents in the North Lanarkshire area access employment, education and training opportunities.Then the committee will hold further round-table discussions with clients of Remploy, which provides employment placement services for disabled people and other groups disadvantaged in the labour market including lone parents and refugees.He