Worklessness in East Hampshire: A Growing Concern

New statistics suggest that one in nine households in East Hampshire were not in work last year, highlighting the need for action to address regional health and opportunity inequalities. The proportion of households not in work varied significantly across regions in Great Britain, with certain areas experiencing a significant increase in worklessness. Employment charities and disability organizations have called for urgent action to break the cycle of worklessness and link services that support work and health.

Key Takeaways:

• One in nine households in East Hampshire (11%) were not in work last year, with 3,958 workless households in the area.
• The proportion of households not in work varied significantly across regions in Great Britain, ranging from 11% in the South East to 21% in the North East.
• More than three million households (14%) were not in work across Great Britain, with the share of households out of work increasing in 59% of local authorities.
• The main reason for households being out of work nationally was sickness and disability, which was also the case in the South East where it was the main reason in 33% of cases.
• Employment support services and health services must work together with local employers and communities to break the cycle of worklessness, according to an employment charity spokesperson.
• A disability charity has called for urgent action to address unfair recruitment practices, lack of support from employers, and absence of specialist assistive technology in job centers, which can limit opportunities for disabled people to work.

Statistics:

• 3,958 workless households in East Hampshire (11% of all households) in 2024.
• 11% of households in East Hampshire were not in work last year, up from 9% the previous year.
• 3,021 workless households in East Hampshire in the previous year.
• More than three million households (14%) were not in work across Great Britain.
• 11% of households in the South East were not in work, while 21% in the North East.
• 33% of households in the South East were not in work due to sickness and disability.
• £3.8 billion has been invested in tailored employment support across the country.
• The Department for Work and Pensions aims to reach an 80% employment rate.

Sources:

• Office for National Statistics
• Shaw Trust (employment charity)
• Sense (disability charity)
• Department for Work and Pensions
• Liphook Herald news article