Unemployment: Number of long-term sick rises to record high of 2.8 million

EMBARGO: For Immediate Release

The number of people who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness has risen to a new record high of 2.83 million, figures from the Office of National Statistics have revealed.

The ONS figures also show that unemployment increased to 4.2% between December and February.

Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said:

“Record levels of people are off work due to long-term sickness, many struggling to access the healthcare they need. It shows this Conservative government’s neglect of the NHS is damaging the country’s economic recovery.

“Millions are stuck on waiting lists while people wait weeks to see a GP.  We will only get the economy firing on all cylinders again by fixing the health crisis, tackling the backlog and helping people back to work.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

ONS figures on people economically inactive due to long-term sickness can be found here.

ONS unemployment figures can be found here