A record-breaking number of women were out of work due to long-term sickness in 2023, new research has found.

The study by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) found that 1.54 million women were off work sick last year – an increase of 48% over the last five years. That equated to an extra 500,000 women out of work due to ill health.

The figures, sourced from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show that long-term sickness is now the leading reason that women miss work. Previously, the most common reason was caring responsibilities for children or relatives.

Musculoskeletal issues – such as back pain – and poor mental health were some of the biggest contributors to this rise.

The study also revealed that the number of women out of work due to long-term sickness was rising at a much faster rate than it is for men, with the latter group experiencing a surge of 37%.

This is particularly concerning, as studies have shown women tend to have longer average sickness absence durations than men – meaning those women who have been signed off are more likely to spend significant time away from work. 

The union attributed the rise in women dealing with long-term sickness to several factors, including long NHS waiting lists and cuts to preventive services.

Overstretched public services and the number of women doing low-paid, precarious work, which could pose a danger to their mental and physical health, were also held up as potential reasons for the current surge.

Condition-wise, poor mental health was one of the leading causes for the current increase, with the number of women out of work due to depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses up 69,000 over the last five years – an increase of 27%.

An extra 126,000 women were also signed off work with musculoskeletal issues like back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome (an increase of 47%), while 19,000 needed to take time off due to cancer.  

Commenting on the study, Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, said a “proper plan” was needed to deal with this rapid increase.

“Instead of stigmatising people who are too ill to work, the government should be laser-focused on improving access to treatment and preventing people from becoming too sick to work in the first place,” he said in a statement.

“That means investing in local preventative services and bringing down our sky-high waiting lists.”

These figures come after Rishi Sunak pledged to eradicate what he called “sicknote culture” as part of a “moral mission” to overhaul the welfare system. 

As part of his proposals, which have been widely condemned by health professionals and members of the public alike, GPs could have their ability to sign people off sick revoked.

In a statement, a government spokesperson said: “Our £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan will help over a million people, including women with long-term health conditions break down barriers to work.

“We are also reforming the benefits system so that it’s fairer on the taxpayer, and makes sure those who can work, do work. This includes enhancing support for people with health conditions and disabilities through programmes like WorkWell and reforming the Fit Note process so people can return to and stay in employment.”

Images: Getty