The Health Foundation podcast
40: Why aren't we working? – with Sacha Romanovitch and Oliver Coppard
Jan 26, 2024
Sacha Romanovitch, Chief Executive of Fair4All Finance and Chair of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives, and Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, dive into the crisis of economic inactivity affecting nearly 9 million in the UK. They explore the alarming rise of long-term illness and its impact on health inequities. The discussion highlights initiatives like 'Working Win' and innovative community health programs in South Yorkshire. Together, they emphasize the importance of supportive environments and collaboration across sectors to rejuvenate local economies.
37:47
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Quick takeaways
- The rise in economic inactivity, particularly due to long-term health issues, is significantly impacting the UK workforce and economy.
- Supporting younger generations through targeted programs and mentorship is crucial to overcoming their unique challenges in the job market.
Deep dives
Economic Inactivity Trends
A significant proportion of the working-age population, nearly 9 million individuals, is classified as economically inactive, indicating they are neither seeking nor able to work. This category includes students and full-time caregivers, but the pandemic has notably increased the number of those reporting long-term illnesses, which now stands at a historical high of 2.7 million. Politicians and businesses are deeply concerned about this troubling trend, with leaders pointing out that the existing system for evaluating those unfit for work has not evolved over the last decade. As a result, reforms are being proposed to address the rising numbers and to understand better the underlying causes of economic inactivity.
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