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| People not working due to sickness hits fresh record | People not working due to sickness hits fresh record |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| The number of people not working due to sickness has risen to another record high, official figures show. | The number of people not working due to sickness has risen to another record high, official figures show. |
| Around 2.6 million people, up from over 2.5 million last month, are not working due to long-term health problems, the Office for National Statistics said. | Around 2.6 million people, up from over 2.5 million last month, are not working due to long-term health problems, the Office for National Statistics said. |
| It came as the UK unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in the three months to April, down from 3.9% last time. | It came as the UK unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in the three months to April, down from 3.9% last time. |
| Wages grew at their fastest rate on record outside the pandemic, but still lag behind the cost of living. | Wages grew at their fastest rate on record outside the pandemic, but still lag behind the cost of living. |
| Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said: "In cash terms, basic pay is now growing at its fastest since current records began, apart from the period when the figures were distorted by the pandemic. | Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said: "In cash terms, basic pay is now growing at its fastest since current records began, apart from the period when the figures were distorted by the pandemic. |
| "However, even so, wage rises continue to lag behind inflation." | "However, even so, wage rises continue to lag behind inflation." |
| The UK economy is currently struggling to grow, as the soaring cost of living and rising interest rates squeeze households. | The UK economy is currently struggling to grow, as the soaring cost of living and rising interest rates squeeze households. |
| However, the jobs market remains resilient, with the total number of people in work rising to its highest level ever in the three months to April. | However, the jobs market remains resilient, with the total number of people in work rising to its highest level ever in the three months to April. |
| However, while the number of people neither working nor looking for work fell again, the number outside the jobs market due to long-term sickness continues to rise. | However, while the number of people neither working nor looking for work fell again, the number outside the jobs market due to long-term sickness continues to rise. |
| The ONS has blamed mental health issues in younger people and people suffering back and neck pain, possibly due to home working, for the increase. | The ONS has blamed mental health issues in younger people and people suffering back and neck pain, possibly due to home working, for the increase. |
| It said one for every 13 people currently working, one person is long-term sick. | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Unemployment | Unemployment |
| UK economy | UK economy |
| Pay | Pay |
| Office for National Statistics | Office for National Statistics |