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Original poster

Economically inactive people……

235 replies

Watermelonnice · 02/08/2025 18:23

AIBU to think that the government needs to clarify who they mean when they say that they want to reduce the number of people who are economically inactive?

And to think they need to differentiate between the reasons for economic inactivity, including providing numbers who fall into each category.

It’s lazy to make this a headline without taking into account the different reasons and specifying who they mean.

Presumably they mean people who are unemployed, but economically inactive could include students, carers, disabled people, stay at home parents and those who have retired early.

Some will be reliant on the state for support but many will be completely self reliant and not claiming a thing from the government.

Why aren’t the government clearer on who they mean? Do they think they’ll persuade people who have retired early and others who have enough income without claiming any benefits to restart work?

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 02/08/2025 19:14

bindin · 02/08/2025 18:59

Do they think they’ll persuade people who have retired early and others who have enough income without claiming any benefits to restart work?

I pretty sure the ones who retired early are from lower incomes but it's due to ill health.

Not always. I know someone who retired early in her 50s with an enhanced pension because her employer was making people redundant. My Dad took voluntary redundancy at 59 although he did decide to get another job after a while off work.

Original poster
Watermelonnice · 02/08/2025 19:12

RaininSummer · 02/08/2025 19:06

I think they are initially thinking of all the Neets and the underemployed. Then perhaps the disabled people who could maybe do some work. Not students or carers. They can think what like about those who retired early but they will be self funding so none of their business.

Edited

Exactly, so they should clarify who they mean and not lump people in totally different situations in together

OP posts:
Fearfulsaints · 02/08/2025 19:11

I thought economically inactive meant people without a job, who were not looking for work.

So unemployed are people out of work, looking for work.

Economically inactive is sahm, retired early, disabled, carers etc.

Original poster
Watermelonnice · 02/08/2025 19:11

bindin · 02/08/2025 18:59

Do they think they’ll persuade people who have retired early and others who have enough income without claiming any benefits to restart work?

I pretty sure the ones who retired early are from lower incomes but it's due to ill health.

Not necessarily. Some friends of ours have retired before reaching 60, they were high earners, company directors, drs etc.

Want to retire to enjoy time off and can fully fund it and their wives too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Watermelonnice · 02/08/2025 19:08

bindin · 02/08/2025 18:58

Presumably they mean people who are unemployed, but economically inactive could include students, carers, disabled people, stay at home parents and those who have retired early.

This is exactly who it is, plus people who are ill.

Yes I should have mentioned them too

OP posts:
RaininSummer · 02/08/2025 19:06

I think they are initially thinking of all the Neets and the underemployed. Then perhaps the disabled people who could maybe do some work. Not students or carers. They can think what like about those who retired early but they will be self funding so none of their business.

myplace · 02/08/2025 19:02

When I retire, I’ll be more economically productive I think. Someone will take my job so they’ll be economically active. I will spend far more than I currently do- tourism, lunch out etc.

And I’ll continue or ramp up voluntary work.

I can’t see a downside for the government. At the moment I’m earning but have no energy to spend it. Downside for me and the government!

bindin · 02/08/2025 19:00

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52660591.amp

this article breaks down who they are

bindin · 02/08/2025 18:59

Do they think they’ll persuade people who have retired early and others who have enough income without claiming any benefits to restart work?

I pretty sure the ones who retired early are from lower incomes but it's due to ill health.

bindin · 02/08/2025 18:58

Presumably they mean people who are unemployed, but economically inactive could include students, carers, disabled people, stay at home parents and those who have retired early.

This is exactly who it is, plus people who are ill.

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