According to the Centre for Ageing Better, older workers with long-term illnesses are more likely to lose their jobs than younger counterparts.
The analysis showed that more than half of those who are economically inactive because of a long-term disability or illness, aged 50 to 65 years old, were included.
The UK has a higher rate of inactivity than Germany.
In the UK, 42 percent of those with long-standing illnesses who do not work but would love to are older than 50.
The research found that more than 40 percent of people who are still working with a chronic health condition are over the age of 50.
The Centre’s new review of health and employment reveals a significant health-related unemployment gap, which grows with age.
It was argued that if the government committed to an employment target of 75% for people aged 50-64 by 2030, there would be around 192,000 older workers on the job market.
The Centre stated that this would generate an additional PS2.5 billion in tax and national insurance revenues for the Treasury.
The organisation also wants the government to set ambitious targets for older workers, in terms of support that the Department for Work and Pensions could offer.
The Midlife Motor Vehicle MOT program, which was launched in 2019 has been called for to be expanded.
The report added that Jobcentre Plus needs to improve its 50 Plus Champions program and should offer specialist interventions for older workers with health issues to help them return to work.
Dr Emily Andrews said that the Centre’s deputy director of work, who is also a doctor, stated: “In decades before the pandemic the UK employment growth was driven largely by the increase in participation among workers over 50 years old.
This trend is now stagnant and in order for Labour to achieve its growth mission, and to reach their ambition of an 80% rate of employment, their health and job initiatives will have to work for those in their fifties or sixties.
This will complement efforts to increase youth participation on the labour market and create a multigenerational workforce.
She said that the government must adopt a “tone of age-positive communication” in all its actions and communications if it is to be successful.
She added, “It’s clear that the health of 50+ workers is not what is holding them back from achieving their full potential. It is the failure of the employment support system and a large number of employers who are not giving these people the opportunity to fully contribute to organisations and to the economy.”
Centre for Ageing Better CEO, Dr Carole Easton, said: “We cannot accept poor employment outcomes for those in their 60s with chronic health conditions.
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