Modelling the Socio-economic Impacts of Major Job Loss or Gain at the Local Level: a Spatial Microsimulation Framework

Abstract

Abstract It has long been argued that spatial microsimulation models can be used to estimate the impact of major changes in the local labour market through job losses or gains, including local multiplier effects. In a previous paper we have used SimLeeds, which is a spatial microsimulation model for the Leeds local labour market, in order to estimate the initial employment and income effect of a hypothetical closure of an engineering plant on different surrounding localities. This paper builds on that work and presents an extension of SimLeeds in order to provide estimates for the multiplier effects of such major changes in a local economy. In particular, we focus on the spatial distribution of the multiplier effects such as the event changes that are triggered by initial job and income effects. The disposable income gain or loss for each individual or household eventually leads to the increase/decrease of consumption of goods and services and to possible changes of the preferred retail location etc. (i.e...