A new report published by the IPPR today reveals that there are now more than a million workers missing from the workforce compared to pre-pandemic and about 400,000 of these are no longer working because of health factors relating to the pandemic, including long Covid.
The report suggests that unresolved, this ‘will drag down economic activity this year by an estimated £8 billion’.
Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, said: “Having long argued for urgent Government action to tackle the impact of Long Covid on the UK workforce, it is disappointing to see further evidence of the huge economic cost of this inaction.
“Long Covid will continue to act as a millstone around the neck of our economy until the government acts on our recommendations to recognise the condition as an occupational disease, provide formal guidance to employers and drastically increase funding for research into treatments.”
Dr Dan Poulter, Conservative MP and Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus said: “Figures in today’s report should underline the urgency to the Prime Minister that meaningful action is needed to tackle Long Covid, not just as a matter of public health but a crucial economic issue as well.
“As part of doing everything possible to grow the economy and tackle the cost of living crisis, Ministers must prioritise providing treatments and guidance for Long Covid.”