MORE than half a million more people are out of work due to long-term sickness than before the pandemic, new research suggests.

And three out of five of those who are classed as “economically inactive” due to long-term sickness are aged 50 or over, according to a report by Rest Less.

The group, which offers advice and support to older people, said there were 1.6 million over-50s out of work due to long-term sickness, a 20 per cent rise in the three years from 2019 and 2022.