Over-50s are 22% of one scheme, half of ill-health jobless

People aged 50 and over are far less likely to move from benefits into work than those under 50, by more than a third, the Centre for Ageing Better reports. On the Work and Health Programme, people aged 18-24 are twice as likely to move into work as those aged 60 and over. People aged 50 and over make up almost half of those out of work due to ill-health, yet they account for only around one in five (22%) participants in the Connect to Work programme, and one in three (33%) participants in WorkWell. Only 2% of people aged 40-75 say they have ever heard of the digital Mid-life MOT service.

The Centre for Ageing Better published this analysis in an article marking National Employability Day, dated 26 June 2026 and written by Elena Boninsegni, its External Affairs Manager for Work.