Health Foundation responds to ONS update on economic inactivity due to long-term sickness

Bold action from the next government is needed as the numbers out of work due to ill health remain stubbornly high

Responding to today’s ONS labour market statistics release, Christopher Rocks, Lead Economist and Head of Secretariat at the Health Foundation said:

‘The UK’s working-age population is getting sicker. Today's figures show a record 2.83 million people aged 16–64 are out of the workforce due to long-term health problems. A new government serious about growing the economy must tackle this pressing challenge and support the health of our workforce.’

‘With a further 3.7 million people in employment with a work-limiting health condition, the next government will need to do much more to help people remain in work and healthy in the first place. This should start by rethinking measures to reduce the generosity of health-related benefits, which risk being counterproductive by increasing poverty and further deteriorating health.’

‘A healthy economy needs a healthy workforce. While the growing ill health among individuals in and out of employment demands immediate attention, addressing this complex issue requires a joint effort from government, public services, and employers. The Health Foundation’s Commission for Healthier Working Lives is committed to finding lasting solutions to these long-standing challenges.’

Notes to editors:

• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released updated labour market statistics. The ONS estimates that 2.83 million people aged 16–64 years were economically inactive primarily due to long-term sickness in February to April 2024.
• Recent Health Foundation analysis (based on pre-reweighted ONS data) reveals a longer-term increase in working-age people reporting health issues that limit the work they can do. This analysis indicated that around 3.7 million people aged 16–64 were in employment with a work-limiting heath condition in April to June 2023.