Older people with long-term health conditions are 50 per cent more likely to be out of work in the UK than in Germany, a report reveals.
The Centre for Ageing better warned that ageist assumptions underestimating the value and capabilities of older workers, and difficulties making reasonable adjustments, were forcing millions to leave their careers early.
Fewer than three in five people aged 50-65 who have a long-standing health condition are in employment in the UK, compared to almost three in four (73 per cent) aged 35-49.
The group’s analysis found the UK also ranked below Italy and France. Closing the gap with comparable nations could see around 192,000 older workers join the labour market, it was said.
The report claimed this could yield an estimated £13billion in GDP and £2.5billion in additional income tax and national insurance revenues each year.
READ MORE: DVLA rule dubbed ‘persecution of pensioners’ as older drivers lose freedoms
Over half of the three million people who are currently economically inactive due to long-term illness or disability are aged 50 to 65.
And 42 per cent of the 1.2million with a long-standing health condition who are not working but would like to be are aged 50 and over, the report said.
In light of the findings, the Centre is urging the Government to commit to an employment rate target of 75 per cent for people aged 50-65 by 2030, with specialist interventions to support those with health conditions who want to return to the workplace.
Dr Emily Andrews, deputy director for work at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “In the decades prior to the pandemic, the UK’s employment growth was largely driven by increasing the participation of workers aged 50 and over.
“This trend has now stalled and for Labour to meet its growth mission and ambitions of an 80 per cent employment rate, their health and work initiatives will need to work for people in their fifties and sixties.
“This will complement the drive to increase youth participation in the labour market, and together create a strong multigenerational workforce.”
Other recommendations in the report included an expansion of the Midlife MOT programme, which launched in 2019 to help workers in their 40s and 50s take stock of their finances, skills and health.
Dr Andrews called for “an age-positive tone from this government”. She added: “Setting high standards for its interventions to deliver for the over 50s age group will send a clear signal that older workers with long-term health conditions can and should be supported to access employment.
“It is clear that it is not 50+ workers’ health that is holding this age group back from fulfilling their full potential, it is the failure of employment support and a significant proportion of employers in not giving them the opportunities to contribute fully to organisations and the economy.”
A Government spokesperson said: “This Government’s mission is to deliver opportunities for all – including for older workers and those with health conditions in every part of the country.
“We’re going to deliver the change that’s needed by creating more jobs, making work pay, and transforming skills, while reforming jobcentres and giving local areas the power they need to tackle economic inactivity.”
ends