Jeremy Hunt to 'nudge' the long-term sick back to work trends now

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Millions of workers written off as long-term sick will be required to consider a return to employment under Budget plans to be released next week.

Jeremy Hunt will unveil the findings of a major 'workforce review' designed to ease Britain's tight labour market by 'nudging' hundreds of thousands of people back into work.

The review will include the introduction of new 'conditionality' requirements for an estimated 2.5million classed as long-term sick.

Those suffering long-term problems such as mental health issues, stress and back pain will be offered extra support to help them to get back to work.

But in return they will be required to look for a job if they want to continue claiming benefits.

A Whitehall source said the Chancellor wants to end the situation where people are no longer required to show they are looking for work once they have been signed off as sick.

'A significant number of these are younger people with mental health issues and older people with back issues,' the source said.