The UK is said to be experiencing an epidemic of working-age illness.

Growing numbers of people are living with chronic conditions and diseases that force them out of employment altogether.

But just as many – around a fifth of working-age adults in the UK – are estimated to be living with what one think tank described as a work-limiting condition.

The Health Foundation says the issue has become such a problem it could even threaten the UK’s economic performance.

It’s an epidemic the government say they want to tackle. This week, in a set piece speech Prime Minister Rishi Sunak blasted the country’s “sicknote culture”, which he said is costing the tax payer £69 billion a year.

In comments that drew ire from disability charities and health campaigners, Mr Sunak claimed some choose to live on benefits as a “lifestyle choice”, linking this to the UK’s “spiralling” welfare bill.

The prime minister says his party will make it harder for some people to obtain a sick note, and those who are still out of work after 12 months of support would have their benefits stopped entirely.

Such a system would see so-called specialist work and health professionals assess whether someone is fit to........

© The Courier