Is ‘Going Dutch’ The Solution To The Midlands Inactivity Crisis?

Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Chairman - Randal Sun Capital
 
Economic inactivity is a major obstacle to the Midlands' productivity and competitiveness.
As a business owner with over 30 years of experience in the region, I have seen first hand how this challenge has intensified as the economically inactive population approaches 10 million nationally - almost 1 million more than pre-pandemic.
This includes nearly 3 million on long-term sick leave, an all-time high since records began in 1993, representing over a fifth of all 16-64 year olds. The good news is that within these high numbers are hundreds of thousands who want to work and could do so with proper support.
But for any government these numbers are alarming, as economic inactivity acts as a drag on productivity and growth, as well as creates an unsustainable benefits burden for the entire nation, with the combined cost of working-age incapacity and disability benefits estimated by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to hit...