Labour will take action to help 54,800 long-term sick people in Crawley’s region get back to work

233,700 people in the South East are economically inactive due to long-term sickness – and 54,800 of these want a job, according to Labour analysis.

Official statistics show that 23% of people out of the workforce because of sickness want a job in the South East.

Since the pandemic, there has been an especially sharp uptick in economic inactivity amongst workers aged over 50.

Labour research finds that there are 10,100 more 50-64-year-olds in the South East who are economically inactive because of long-term sickness than there were before the pandemic. This amounts to a substantial 9% increase in older people outside the workforce because of ill health.

High levels of sick workers leaving the workforce have come alongside increases in the numbers relying on means-tested disability and health-related benefits in the South East.

Labour analysis shows that there are 37,484 more recipients of means-tested disability and health-related benefits in the South East than there were before the pandemic.

Labour has called on the Government to take urgent action to help [over-50s and] the long-term sick back to work.

In recently announced plans, Labour has committed to transforming Jobcentres and employment support services. Budgets will be devolved to local areas that know their local jobs and skills needs best, and tailored support will be offered to the unemployed and inactive people who want help – with services available to a wider group of people than just those receiving unemployment benefits.

Labour will also look to expand employment programmes targeted at people with ill health, including those delivered via the NHS.