Do long-term sickness benefits cost the UK a lot and can more people be helped into work?

One in 10 of working-age population claim sickness benefit as Britain struggles with aftermath of austerity, pandemic and cost of living crisis

Labour has inherited “a country that simply isn’t working”, Keir Starmer said when he launched his employment strategy this week. Britain’s economy, he added, was grappling with chronic unemployment, skills shortages and a misfiring job market.

Much of the debate since has focused on the record 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term sickness, and the 4.2 million claiming incapacity and disability benefits. But questions remain over whether Britain is more unhealthy than it used to be. If not, there must be other reasons why claims have increased. Here, the Guardian asks if the rising cost is really out of control and what more could be done to help ill and disabled people into work.