More People in the UK Can’t Work Due to Illness
According to new research from a health organization, the number of people in the UK who can’t work because of health problems is increasing by 300,000 each year.
Harder for Sick People to Return to Work
People who leave their jobs because of health issues are three times less likely to go back to work compared to healthy individuals. This also means more people are applying for disability benefits, said the Health Foundation.
Effects of the Pandemic Are Still Here
Many hoped the problems caused by the pandemic would get better, but new data shows this hasn’t happened yet. The number of people with serious health issues that make it hard to work has continued to rise.
Big Increase in Workers With Health Problems
The Health Foundation also said that 4 million working-age people are not working because of illness. 3.9 million people have health conditions but still work, although they find it difficult. This number has increased by 1.5 million since 2013. People with disabilities who work hard are three times more likely to stop working than healthy people.
Mental and Physical Health Problems Are Growing
Even though unemployment hasn’t gone up much since inflation and the cost of living went up in 2021, the number of people dealing with mental and physical health problems has grown a lot.
Lack of Workers Is Affecting the Economy
Reports from the Bank of England show that a shortage of workers in essential jobs has caused employers to raise wages. This has made it harder for prices to go down, which affects the economy. At their last meeting, the Bank of England kept interest rates at 5%. They want to see more people returning to work and the economy becoming more stable before they lower the cost of borrowing money.
More Support Needed for Workers with Health Issues
The Health Foundation said this report is part of a more extensive study examining the growing problems of ill health among working-age people. The report suggests the government needs to take new steps to help people with health problems return to work when possible.
The report also pointed out that help for workers with health conditions is often too little or too late. Less than half of workers in the UK have access to health services at work. The system for sick leave notes isn’t working well, and sick pay in the UK is lower compared to other countries.
Employers Need Help Too
Many employers, especially smaller businesses, want to help but don’t always know how.
Sacha Romanovitch, the head of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives, said the government should create a plan to support a healthier workforce. As the government prepares its next budget, Romanovitch said it also needs to ensure people with disabilities or health conditions can get help quickly and without delays.
She also suggested that the government investigate how work is done in public jobs, as more people are getting sick from work-related issues.
“The evidence in this report shows that, despite what many believe, many people with long-term health conditions want to work and can make valuable contributions to the economy. But they often don’t get the support or flexibility they need,” she said.
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