Migraines: Employment
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of migraine on levels of sickness absence, labour market participation and economic inactivity.
Answered by Dame Diana Johnson
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that 3.1 million days were lost due to headaches and migraines in 2024. This represents 2.1% of all days lost, the same percentage as in 2019.
No assessment has been made of the potential impact of migraine on labour market participation and economic inactivity. This information is not available because the Labour Force Survey - the primary source for data on labour market participation and economic inactivity - only reports figures by long‑term health condition. The category of “migraines and headaches” appears only as a reason for sickness absence, not as a separate long-term health condition.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →