NEWS

Long-term sickness blighting UK economy

The UK must tackle its status as the sick man of the G7 if it wants to grow the economy, warns the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Businesses want to see a major shake-up of the UK’s approach to ill-health which is excluding people from work and hobbling the economy, says the BCC.

It says around 7% of the UK workforce, almost 2.8 million people, is currently out of work due to long-term sickness, whereas the equivalent figure in Japan is just 3.5%.

The government’s own calculations put the lost economic output from this inactivity at a minimum of £130 billion, a figure which does not include welfare payments.

The BCC is calling for joint action by government and businesses to halt the rising tide of sickness and help people suffering ill-health to get back into work or stay there.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:

‘Sickness absenteeism is a growing concern. The UK has more than nine million people who aren’t working with one third of them suffering from long-term health conditions.  

‘This is a devastating loss of potential – for these individuals, the businesses that need them and our local economies.  

‘If the government is serious about growth, then we must turn the tide on this loss of talent. The evidence is also clear that being in work is good for health.  

‘Employers recognise the problem and want to do more, but the increasing cost and complexity of the landscape means many lack the resources to respond quickly and effectively.’

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08/10/2025