Since the start of the pandemic, worklessness due to long-term sickness has risen sevenfold in parts of the UK, with the number of people off work due to continuing illness now estimated at 2.8 million. This trend is expected to continue, with forecasts predicting that the number could exceed 4 million by 2030. The Prime Minister has promised 'sweeping changes' to tackle Britain's high welfare bill.
According to startling figures, worklessness due to long-term sickness has increased sevenfold in some parts of the UK since the start of the pandemic. The Government estimates that around 2.8 million people are currently off work due to a continuing illness, which is an increase of around 700,000 since before the pandemic.
This trend is expected to continue, with forecasts predicting that the number could rise to over 4 million by 2030, with much of the rise attributed to an increase in benefits for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. The Prime Minister has vowed sweeping changes in an attempt to tackle Britain's welfare bill, which currently stands at £137 billion. In an effort to reduce benefits fraud, the PM promised a 'blitz' on cheats and those who 'game the system.' The analysis shows that 18.7 percent of Dover's working-age population are now economically inactive due to long-term illness, which is equivalent to 12,800 out of the 68,400 residents aged between 16 and 64. This figure was just 2.6 percent in 2019, marking a significant increase. South Staffordshire was found to have the second-largest rise in sickness-related worklessness, with rates jumping from 2.7 percent to 13.3 percent between 2019 and 2024. Minister for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall is expected to announce new legislation to 'get Britain working.
Worklessness Long-Term Sickness UK Pandemic Welfare Bill Mental Health Benefits
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