As of the end of 2023, 71 per cent of the growth in total inactivity since the pandemic can be attributed to ill-health. [...] While the former can be explained by a reprioritisation away from general healthcare treatment towards the Covid-19 response and the latter by the effect of the virus itself, their sustained levels since the vaccine rollout requires further examination. [...] Although the increased presence of more economically inactive people may contribute to NHS waiting lists, it is likely not to do this in a way that would explain the strength of the relationship, especially given this relationship cannot be observed before the pandemic. [...] It seems implausible to me that something has happened to make people in the United Kingdom suddenly more likely to have all of these long-term sickness conditions and that this is driving inactivity and NHS waiting lists. [...] Compared to other countries, the United Kingdom has one of the highest participation rates in the world, and the inactivity rate in the United Kingdom is one of the lowest across the G7 (figure B.5).
- Pages
- 5
- Published in
- United Kingdom
