UK In Grip Of Worst Health-Related Work Crisis Since 1990s
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Britain is facing a £16 billion ($20.1 billion) annual bill to cover the rising cost of disability benefits over the next five years as the country grapples with the longest sustained rise in health-related inactivity since the 1990s. The UK is experiencing a unique employment crisis, with 600,000 more working-age Britons than before the pandemic neither in work nor looking for a job due to ill health. The lack of available workers has become one of the most pressing economic issues in the country. The problems appear to be concentrated among the young (aged 16 to 24) and the old (aged 55-64), with the middle-aged groups seemingly unaffected. Spending on disability benefits is forecasted to rise by £16.1 billion to £52.2 billion between 2023-24 and 2028-29, a 45% increase. The trend reflects older workers being more likely to experience ill-health, and a recent trend of deteriorating health among young people. Health-related inactivity is likely to remain a major challenge for years to come.

#Uk #Employment #DisabilityBenefits #HealthrelatedInactivity #Economy

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-23/uk-in-grip-of-worst-health-related-work-crisis-since-1990s