Labour has pledged to help more over-50s back into jobs as it emerged almost two million are now claiming out-of-work benefits.
Figures show there has been a 17% jump in the number since the start of the pandemic.
In February 2020, 1.6 million over-50s received out-of-work benefits, but by May last year this had climbed to 1.9 million.
Labour accused the Tory government of “woefully failing over 50s”. It warned that Britain risks becoming the “sick man of Europe” through a combination of inadequate jobs support and the crisis in the NHS.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “This is a staggering increase in the numbers of over 50s on out-of-work benefits.
“The over-50s have huge talents and experiences we can ill afford to lose from the labour market which is why we've proposed new thinking to help older people back to work.
“The new approach to tackling disincentives in the benefit system and specialist employment support we've outlined shows Labour is now the party of welfare reform as we target the highest employment in the G7.”
Mr Ashworth has promised that a Labour government would offer targeted help for over-50s, including a pledge to offer all those who have previously worked but recently left the labour market “back-to-work support and guidance”.
In a speech earlier this month, he said Labour would introduce a package of welfare reforms to get people back into the workforce and end a "monumental waste of human potential".
The plans include measures aimed at making it easier for people out of work on sickness benefits to return to work.
The need for benefits claimants to have their ability to work reassessed would be removed for potentially thousands of people under the plan.
Labour will allow claimants to agree with their benefits adviser that if they try paid work and it does not work out, within a period of a year they can go back to the exact benefits they were on, with no fresh work capability assessment (WCA) required.
The plan will also see further reform of employment support, devolved to local areas.
The access to work scheme, which provides financial help for disabled people to start or stay in work, would be streamlined with improved targets for assessment waiting times and "in principle" indicative awards.
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