More than half a million more people are out of work due to long-term sickness than before the pandemic, new research suggests.
Three out of five of those who are classed as economically inactive due to long-term sickness are aged 50 or over, according to a report. Rest Less, a group which offers advice and support to older people, said there are 1.6 million over-50s out of work due to long-term sickness, a 20 per cent increase in the three years from July to September 2019 to July to September 2022.
More than one in three economically inactive 50 to 64-year-olds are out of work due to long-term sickness, according to the study, based on official data. Rest Less’s analysis showed that for 50 to 64-year-olds, the main reason was long-term sickness or disability, followed by retirement and then looking after family.
