UK Faces Surge in Long-Term Sickness and Economic Challenges

Experts call for radical health reforms as long-term sickness threatens to rise by 50% in five years, impacting the economy and workforce.

The number of workers on long-term sick leave in the UK is projected to increase from 2.8 million to 4.3 million by 2029, according to the IPPR.
A cross-party commission recommends new taxes on unhealthy foods, alcohol, tobacco, and gambling to raise £10 billion annually for health initiatives.
The report highlights that 900,000 additional workers are economically inactive due to ill health compared to pre-2020 trends, costing £5 billion in lost tax revenue this year.
Proposed measures include universal free school meals, the reintroduction of Sure Start programs, and the creation of neighborhood health centers focused on prevention.
The IPPR emphasizes the need for a proactive health system to improve national prosperity, aiming to add 10 years to healthy life expectancy by 2055.