New analysis from Learning and Work Institute for the Commission for Healthier Working Lives shows that the number of people economically inactive due to ill health has risen across all UK nations and regions. But a closer look at variations in health and job outcomes across the country reveals persistent inequalities between local areas. In 2020-22, nearly 10% of the total number of people who were economically inactive due to ill health lived in only 20 local authorities (out of 372) representing 4% of the working age population. 

The report takes a detailed look at these geographical variations and potential solutions, combining analysis of national data and existing research with six local area case studies. The selected case study areas were Belfast, Coventry, Newport, South Ayrshire, Westminster, and Wokingham.  

Local context matters to health and employment outcomes, including the history of local economies and communities.  The places with the highest level of health-related economic inactivity in 1991 tended to be the areas with the highest levels in 2019. In less economically buoyant areas, there are higher numbers of people who are economically inactive due to poor health. L&W argues that some of these people could work if the right jobs and support were available; instead, the design of the benefit system, the impact of worklessness on health, and a lack of support all create barriers to entering or re-entering the labour market.  

The report emphasises the importance of kickstarting economic growth across the whole country and ensuring that all areas benefit from plans to Get Britain Working. Previous local responses to economic inactivity have been limited in their efficacy due to failure from central government to provide the sustained, stable, long-term funding needed to secure change. There has also been insufficient join-up between efforts to create jobs and support for people out of work to find employment.