The number of Britons off work due to long-term sickness has reached record levels the latest official figures show, ramping up pressure on the Chancellor ahead of his "back-to-work Budget" on Wednesday. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that there were 2.52 million people off work due to long-term sickness in the three months to January.
The number is up 2.6% quarter-on-quarter and 7.9% year-on-year and the highest since record began in 1993. It comes as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt prepares to unveil his spring Budget on Wednesday, with measures expected to focus on getting people back into work to boost the flatlining economy.
The measures are expected to boost workforce participation targeting the over-50s, the long-term sick and disabled, as well as benefits claimants, in what Mr Hunt is billing his "back-to-work Budget". Tackling economic inactivity is a key component of Mr Hunt's plans.
