Long-term sickness leads to soaring number of women off work

LONG-term sickness has led to a soaring number of women off work in every region.

In all, 94,000 women aged 16-24 in England are off for the foreseeable future, up by 34,000 since the pandemic.

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In the South East, the number nearly trebled from 7,000 to 20,000, according to analysis by the Labour Party. In the East Midlands the number doubled to 11,000.

Earlier this month, the Office for National Statistics revealed long-term sick had reached another record high, with almost 2.6 million people off work because of illness.

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “More and more young people have been forced out of work in Tory sick note Britain.

“Instead of help, young people are being written off by this Tory Government in their swathes.

“Rather than providing the support that’s needed, the Tories’ lacklustre response to long-term sickness is wasting the potential of millions and driving up the benefits bill.

“Labour’s welfare reforms with a detailed plan for real tailored support will get Britain working again.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride recently said he would take “no lectures” from Labour on employment.

He pointed out that under the last Labour government youth unemployment rose by 44 per cent.

Guy Opperman, Minister for Employment, said: “Labour have shown time and time again that they cannot be trusted with people’s jobs and livelihoods.

“No Labour government has left office with unemployment lower than when they took office and Labour-run Wales – Keir Starmer’s ‘blueprint’ for government– currently has the highest unemployment rate in the UK. Labour would just write people off on benefits, like they always have.

“The Conservatives have supported four million more people into work since 2010 and will continue to deliver on the people’s priorities: halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.”

The Government said inactivity had fallen by over 300,000 since the pandemic peak.