The number of people in the UK who are out of work due to long-term illness has reached a new high of 2.5 million. This figure includes an additional 400,000 individuals who have left the workforce during the pandemic, citing poor health as the reason.
Working from home taking a toll
Many experts believe that the increase in long-term sickness is linked to the strains of working from home. Issues such as muscle pains and mental health problems have become prevalent among those who have been working remotely.
Unemployment rate rises
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that the unemployment rate has reached 4.2%, which is a 0.3% increase from the previous quarter. This rise is attributed to more people actively seeking work.
Government efforts to fill the staffing gap
The government is making efforts to address the shortage of workers by reducing the number of economically inactive individuals. Currently, there are 1.02 million job vacancies that need to be filled, leading to increased reliance on immigrant workers. The ONS's Darren Morgan states that the decrease in economically inactive individuals is primarily due to people taking care of their families and homes.
Childcare support for increased employment
The government hopes that the implementation of new childcare support will encourage more parents to return to work. This move aims to further boost employment rates and address the staffing gaps in various sectors. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt expresses optimism about the situation and highlights the positive impact of government reforms on job numbers. He specifically mentions expanding free childcare as a measure to support the economy's growth and help individuals find employment.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/politics/rishi-sunaks-rwanda-plan-will-end-the-migrant-crisis-says-former-foreign-minister/
