THE number of jobless benefit claimants aged 50 or older has reached nearly two million for the first time, a study has found.

Those out of work and claiming benefits has risen by 600,000 among 50- to 64-year-olds since February 2020, reaching a total of 1.99 million in November 2024, the Centre for Social Justice report, published today, showed.

This has been attributed in part to a rise of more than a fifth in the number of health-related exits from the labour market among older people owing to long-term sickness since 2015.

The centre-right think tank has recommended the government establish a new national work & health service to encourage the retention of over 50s in the workplace.

The report also recommends the introduction of age-specific employment targets for workers in their 50s and 60s, as well as strengthened occupational health services and extra specialised careers guidance.

Mercy Muroki, development director at the CSJ, said: “Workers over 50 bring decades of skills, insight and experience.

“Even a modest rise in employment among economically inactive people over 50 could generate billions in tax revenue and welfare savings.”