ABOUT 1.8 million people suffered from work-related ill health in the past year, new figures have revealed.

Half of the cases are down to stress, depression or anxiety, according to stats published today by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The total was similar to the previous year but the current rate is higher than before the pandemic.

An estimated 35.2 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to self-reported work-related ill health or injury.

The figures also show that 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23, a slight increase on the previous year, while 561,000 workers sustained a self-reported non-fatal injury in the workplace during the same period.

Four Day Week Campaign director Joe Ryle said: “Our very British culture of long working hours for low pay is pushing people to the brink.

“We work some of the longest hours in Europe which is causing burnout for millions and not producing good results for the economy.

“We are long overdue a reduction in working hours. The time has come for a four-day working week, with no loss in pay.”

Karen McDonnell from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: “We are concerned that the tremendous progress made in Britain’s workplace safety has stalled, with statistics showing we’re reducing fatal injuries at almost half the rate we were between 1990 and 2010.

“Unfortunately, the HSE has experienced significant budget cuts over the last decade, which could feasibly lead to an inability to deliver advisory and regulatory functions and justice for victims.”