ONS employment figures: tailored support needed for the over 50’s

Responding to today’s ONS employment figures, which reveal that the number of people who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness has increased to a record high of over 2.5 million, Andrew Phillips, Researcher at Demos, says: 

“Today’s figures highlight in no uncertain terms the damage being done to the UK economy as a result of continued labour shortages. Our research shows that many of these people, particularly the over 50s, are not leaving work not out of choice, but due to a range of physical and mental health conditions and bad employment practices – including discrimination.

“In response to this growing crisis, we are calling on the government to introduce the first ever Ageing Workforce Strategy. Offering tailored support to address the challenges the over 50s are facing, such as employment support integrated with help to overcome barriers such as health, would benefit individuals, businesses and the public finances.”

Andrew is the author of Working Together: The case for universal employment support and Understanding ‘Early Exiters’: The case for a Healthy Ageing Workforce Strategy