The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic delivered an impactful shock to both our societal framework and economic landscape. As concerns mounted, health policymakers issued stringent recommendations, urging the general public to adopt a self-isolation regimen when displaying symptoms indicative of COVID-19 infection.
Although this containment strategy proved effective in curtailing the virus’s transmission, it also inadvertently precipitated unintended consequences, particularly affecting the younger generation, notably those within the age bracket of 18 to 25. Ordinarily, this phase of life is characterised by active social engagement with peers and the acquisition of essential life experiences, encompassing both employment prospects and personal character development.
However, the imperative need for self-isolation imposed severe restrictions on the ability of young individuals to partake in these pivotal experiences. The ensuing limitations curtailed access to critical resources and opportunities that would typically facilitate their growth. Consequently, this vacuum gave rise to an upsurge in leisure time, which was often coupled with heightened exposure to deleterious online content. This exposure, in turn, fostered the development of various addictions, such as excessive gaming, vaping, and the pervasive pursuit of social media trends, as notably exemplified by the Tik-Tok phenomenon. These behaviours served as coping mechanisms for the mounting anxiety and depression precipitated by the prolonged lockdown measures.
In the aftermath of the Brexit process, the British economy encountered a series of additional challenges compounded by the profound impact of the global pandemic. A salient repercussion of this multifaceted crisis was the sharp decline in the number of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers in the United Kingdom. This decline in the HGV workforce began during the protracted Brexit negotiation period and ultimately culminated on the 31st of January, 2020. The implications of this situation were particularly disconcerting for an economy that had historically held a prominent position in the manufacturing sector. This was exacerbated by the continued proliferation of digital products and the burgeoning popularity of e-commerce markets.
To restore its competitive edge, the UK would need to contemplate a return to more traditional working paradigms while simultaneously effecting nuanced adjustments tailored to the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 generation. This demographic cohort finds itself grappling with the dual challenges of securing their economic sustenance and providing support to their families, all while wrestling with the profound psychological ramifications of the pandemic.