The number of jobless Brits signing on for long-term sick leave hits a record ... trends now
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The number of people on long-term sick leave has soared to a new high in a worrying sign about the state of Britain's workforce.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed 2.829 million people were described as long-term sick between last December and February – up by 16,000.
In all, long-term sickness accounted for 30.1 per cent of 16 to 64-year-olds considered to be economically inactive.
Economists warned that long-term sickness, particularly among younger workers, risked 'scarring careers'.
Charlie McCurdy, economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: 'Britain is in the midst of the longest sustained rise in economic inactivity due to ill-health since the 1990s.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) showed 2.829 million people were described as long-term sick between last December and February – up by 16,000
'This rise has affected all age groups – but especially young people and older generations.
'The rise among the young – driven primarily by poor mental health – is worrying, as long periods out of work can permanently scar their careers.
'Tackling Britain's inactivity crisis will be a key challenge for this Government, and whoever wins the next election.'
John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'The surge in the
