VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Sick Leave

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 21 January 2025UIN 23315

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of how many people have been absent from work because of long term sickness over the last six months.

Answered by Alison McGovern

The latest available data for long-term sickness absence covers the period from July 2023 to June 2024.

In July 2023 to June 2024, 1.55 million people in the UK had been absent from work because of long-term sickness. This statistic can be found in the employment of disabled people 2024 table SAB001.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim