Mental health distress in young people, back and neck pain and energy impairments/post-viral fatigue are being highlighted as key issues in the rise – a record high.
For every thirteen people working, one is now currently not working due to being long-term sick.
Darren Morgan, ONS Director of Economic Statistics at the told the BBC's Today Programme that "well over 400,000 more people [are] outside of the labour market due to ill health."
Back and neck issues are potentially being blamed on working from home conditions – which may not have been properly assessed for occupational health outcomes. And fatigue issues are potentially due to a rise in those with long Covid.
The figures are being assessed as part of the reason why the UK economy is lagging behind the economies of other developed countries at the moment, with the Government keen to get those signed off sick back into work.
DR UK’s Head of Policy Fazilet Hadi said: “It is critical that the Government is mindful that people need to be well enough to return to work rather than solely focussing on getting people back to work any old how.
“The Government would do well to recognise that economies are there to serve people, not the other way round. It must prioritise the wellbeing of those affected and ensure there is comprehensive support in place.
“Disabled people are waiting for NHS services for far too long as their conditions deteriorate. A third of NHS waiting lists are made up of Disabled people.
“Employers also need to do a lot more to create inclusive work environments that truly meet the needs of employees, not just the needs of business.
“It is clear that Britain is currently the sick man of Europe. Perhaps medicine, in the form of measures to help people tackle their sickness, would serve us all better than applying CPR pads to unwell people to jolt them from their sick beds back into jobs.”