Number of women unable to work surges

LONG-TERM sickness has become the main reason for women being out of the labour market, new research has suggested.

An analysis of official statistics by the TUC showed the number of women who are now economically inactive due to long-term sickness has increased by 503,000 over the last five years to 1.54 million – the highest number since records began.

Economic inactivity due to long-term sickness has risen steeply for both men and women over the past five years, said the union organisation.

The number of women economically inactive due to musculoskeletal issues (arms, hands, legs, feet, back and neck problems) increased by 126,000, and for conditions such as cancer, the figure rose by 19,000.

The number of women economically inactive due to depression, anxiety and mental illness increased by 69,000, said the TUC, which blamed issues including long NHS waiting lists and cuts to preventative services.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “We need a proper plan for dealing with the sharp rise in long-term sickness, not cynical gimmicks.

“Instead of stigmatising people who are too ill to work, the Government should be laser-focused on improving access to treatment and preventing people from becoming too sick to work in the first place.

“It means improving the quality of work in this country, so that women are not disproportionately trapped in low-paid, insecure jobs. But instead, the Government is failing growing numbers of women who are unable to work because they can’t access the right treatment or support.”

A Government spokesperson said: “Our £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan will help over a million people, including women with long-term health conditions, break down barriers to work.”