Britain’s worklessness disaster
Can the government get more people working without exposing the vulnerable?
For Sarah, the trouble started with a fracture in her back. She’d worked in a warehouse for years. Now she’s “too old to lug boxes” and her back still aches when it’s cold. Poundland, a budget retailer, rejected her job application. Others didn’t reply. For Mandy, it was losing her job. Without that structure, she felt anxious and depressed. Michael hurt his back in 2022, but is still waiting for surgery. He’s only done part-time Christmas work since.
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This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Britain’s worklessness mess”
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