Long-term illness leaves 560,000 under-35s out of work

More than half a million young people in the UK say they are out of work owing to long-term illness, a 44% increase in just four years.

- Niels de Hoog , Carmen Aguilar Garcia

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that more than 560,000 people aged between 16 and 34 were economically inactive in the first three months of the year - meaning they are not in work or seeking work - owing to long-term sickness.

The findings, which experts connect to a growing mental health crisis in the country and an underinvestment in health services, are also reflected in other studies.

One report, by the Health Foundation, found that 16- to 34-year-olds were now "as likely to report a worklimiting condition as someone aged 45-54 years 10 years ago".

The chief secretary to the Treasury, Laura Trott, recently caused controversy when she said that people with mobility and mental health problems should do "their duty" and work from home or face having their benefits cut.

Mental health problems - including depression, "bad nerves" and anxiety - were most prevalent in the youngest age group, affecting 36% of people aged between 16 and 34 who were out of work owing to long-term illness, according to the ONS Labour Force Survey.

The equivalent figure was 31% among those aged 35 to 49 and 20% of those between 50 and 64.