Economically inactive people……

[Watermelonnice]

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?

I don’t pay much. I work 26 hours a week at near enough NMW, and pay a lot into my pension.

So I suppose I’m not economically active now, though I’m doing what I can to support my future.

I get exactly what you say and have lots of friends in a similar position.

I am struggling with the intensity and demands of my professional job now at 50+ and can’t imagine being here in 10 years.

I keep doing the lottery as a way out, but no luck yet.

I would absolutely retire as soon as we can afford it, luckily dh has a good pension and I have 30 years nhs too.

I get exactly what you mean and understand that you want to work, and could massively contribute to society with a few adjustments.

Workplaces and government although pretending to be inclusive and non discriminatory actually are the opposite sadly with there 1 size fits all approach

I guess I am one of the economically inactive. I had to stop work at 44 due to health problems, not entitled to any benefits and DH earns too much so he pays for everything. I am bored out of my mind, cannot even get a voluntary job as they want references and I do not have anyone, I am very lonely and isolated now. Since Covid started the only people that I have spoken to are DH and some health professionals. I never leave the house , there is nowhere to go and I cannot afford bus fare, taxis, I live rurally.

It's not any better for kids to be in care outside the home then home with a parent either.

It's just wishful thinking to imagine that adults in families can live and work as completely independent units.

Most of the cases I know where parents are doctors or lawyers they have a nanny, because institutional childcare doesn't have the kind of flexibility they need, but the principle is the same, you see similar scenarios where a parent is in the military, a trucker or pilot, has a job that involves working in a foreign country. My cousin works in finance generally overseas, her spouse absolutely facilitates that as it means he can't work at all for the most part. Her salary recognises that the spouse is unlikely to be able to work and that often the kids will be in private schools.

Frankly it's bizarre to say that it is productive for her to spend her money on a nanny or a boarding school, but not to use it to allow her husband to be with her, take care of the kids, and volunteer at the international school.

Her salary recognises that the spouse is unlikely to be able to work and that often the kids will be in private schools.

It doesn’t. She’d be paid exactly the same if she was childless and single. Or if she had a spouse with an equally lucrative career.

And he's taking a massive risk. She could dump him tomorrow and pay child maintenance at a maximum of 20% of her salary and keep the rest herself. Spousal maintenance isn't really a thing in the UK any more.

Absolutely this. Well said! 👏🏻

Those retired on private pensions are designated economically inactive.

Which is sort of what this thread is about.

Isn’t that just those who retire early?

It does prove the point though that the phrase does cause confusion