Economic inactivity due to sickness highest since records began shows need for bolder action - IPPR

Reacting to today’s ONS statistics Chris Thomas, head of IPPR’s Commission on Health and Prosperity, said:

“The number of people economically inactive due to sickness has, once again, come in at the highest since records began. Economic inactivity due to long-term sickness stands at 2.83 million, while the number not participating in the labour market due to long-term and short-term illness combined has broken 3 million for the first time ever.

“A perfect storm of an NHS crisis, poor public health – driven by mouldy housing, toxic air and a broken food system - and among the highest health inequalities of any comparable country have made the UK the literal ‘sick man of Europe’. And that is doing profound harm to our national economy.

“It is time for this government to recognise that better health is the clearest, untapped path to prosperity. Today’s vote to create a smoke-free generation offers a major opportunity. But ministers need to go further and faster to create a healthier, more prosperous nation.”