Britain sliding 'into economic crisis' over 85bn sickness bill

The number of sick and disabled people out of work is putting the UK is at risk of an economic inactivity crisis that threatens the country's prosperity, according to a new report. There were 800,000 more people out of work now than in 2019 due to health conditions, costing employers £85bn a year, according to the review by former John Lewis boss Sir Charlie Mayfield. The problem could worsen without intervention, but Sir Charlie, who will lead a taskforce aimed at helping people return to work, said this was not inevitable. The move has been broadly welcomed, but some business groups said Labour's Employment Rights Bill included some disincentives to hiring people with existing illnesses. One in five working age people were out of work, and not seeking work, according to the report, which was commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions by produced independently.