The UKs job market faces new-age challenges as self-diagnosed mental health issues affect work-force numbers. Liz Kendall Work and Pensions Secretary highlighted this trend as a key factor in the nations growing economic inactivity
The numbers paint a clear picture: about 9.3M people are now work-inactive (meaning they dont seek employment) while health-related benefits claims jumped by 1M since pre-covid times to 4.2M. This shift reflects both medical and self-diagnosed conditions: people are more open about mental health nowadays which is good-and-bad
Speaking on BBCʼs Sunday program Kendall pointed to several root-causes: “We see more mental health cases – both doctor-diagnosed and self-reported; many 50-plus women have joint problems; and NHS delays dont help“ she explained. The situation needs a multi-angle approach: reform welfare rules support work-readiness and help people return to employment
- Strip benefits from those who dont engage with back-to-work programs
- Create youth guarantee for earning-or-learning
- Transform training opportunities
- Support over-50s with health issues
Labourʼs reform plans (set to roll out 11/26/24) focus on responsibility-sharing between government and benefit-receivers. Kendall emphasized that young peoples future depends on basic skills – “being jobless when young can affect your whole career path and earning power“