Alarm as long-term sick list to top 3.7 million by 2040

SOME 700,000 more workers will be suffering from major illnesses such as chronic pain, type 2 diabetes and depression by 2040, a report warns.

- Hanna Geissler

The Health Foundation estimated that rising levels of ill health in England will see the number affected soar by a quarter from three million in 2019 to 3.7 million.

It is unclear how many of these will be working at that point.

The stark projection paints a worrying picture of the future of "sick note Britain".

Separate figures from the Office for National Statistics recently showed record levels of economic inactivity, with 2.8 million people out of work with long-term health problems.

Jo Bibby, director of health at the Health Foundation, said: "We are already seeing the impact of poor health on the economy, with record numbers of people out of the workforce.