UK struggles to keep older workers employed amid rising long-term sickness
The UK is facing a growing challenge in keeping older workers employed as long-term sickness rises and employment rates stagnate. Over 2.8 million people are now out of work due to chronic illness, many of them in their 50s and early 60s. Meanwhile, the government is pushing new policies to increase labour participation among this age group while tightening migration rules to reduce reliance on foreign workers.
Employment rates for people aged 50 to 64 in the UK have remained stuck at around 71%, still below pre-pandemic levels. This places the country behind nations like Sweden, Japan, and Germany, where older workers participate more actively in the labour market. A key issue is the sharp rise in long-term sickness, with more older employees leaving work due to health problems or struggling to manage multiple chronic conditions while staying employed.
Without targeted changes, the UK risks losing a significant portion of its experienced workforce to health issues, outdated work structures, and skills gaps. Current policies focus on reducing immigration and encouraging older workers to stay employed, but broader reforms—such as better training, flexible work options, and fairer pension rules—may be needed to create a sustainable, future-ready labour market.
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