Health of older workers key to reducing number of economically inactive: Broadstone

One in five aged 50-64 want to work

John Brazier
clock • 2 min read

Research from Broadstone has found that around 250,000 people aged between 50-64 are out of work due to chronic health conditions but are keen to rejoin the workforce.

Examining data Nomis data from the Office for National Statistics on the labour market, Broadstone detailed that older workers aged between 50-64 account for the majority of the UK's economically inactive due to long-term illness. This group accounts for 54% of the total, or 1.3 million people. However, around one in five of those (253,100) stated they are keen to return to the workforce. Broadstone noted there has a "sharp rise" in those considered economically inactive in this age bracket since the onset of the Covid pandemic, with an additional 136,600 working age adults between 50...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Group Protection

L&G launches health and wellbeing app

L&G launches health and wellbeing app

Dubbed Spark

Cameron Roberts
clock 01 July 2025 • 2 min read
Employers 'misjudge' which benefits workers prioritise

Employers 'misjudge' which benefits workers prioritise

Canada Life research

Jaskeet Briah
clock 19 June 2025 • 2 min read
L&G paid out £347m in group protection claims in 2024

L&G paid out £347m in group protection claims in 2024

Paid out just shy of £1m every day

Jenna Brown
clock 19 June 2025 • 3 min read