Overcoming Lancashire’s ageing labour crisis

By Business Health Matters

03 Nov 2022

ageing-crisis.jpg

The Centre for Ageing Better has identified that over 330,000 more workers aged 50-64 are now ‘economically inactive’ than before the first outbreak of COVID-19. 

Whilst some employment levels for younger employees have recovered and overall unemployment rates recently fell to the lowest level since 1974, the Office for National Statistics has shared data that shows a concerning 2.2% increase in people aged 50-64 who are not in work or not looking for work, since before the start of the pandemic.

And here in Lancashire, the number of economically inactive individuals continues to rise. Since 2020, there are an additional 33,000 working-age individuals no longer in work or looking for work, an increase of 17.4% and now representing a quarter of the whole working age population in the county (Lancashire Skills Hub, 2022).

Worryingly, we are now seeing those aged 50-64 years old making up a large proportion of this economic inactive population. 93,000 out of the 302,000 50-64 years old are now economically inactive.

So, what can Lancashire businesses do to combat the rising figures? And how can they continue to benefit from the skills and experience held by our older workers?

As recommended by the Centre for Ageing Better, businesses can seek support on how to recruit, retain and support workers in their 50s and 60s and tap into the invaluable role older workers can play in boosting growth and productivity.

Dr Emily Andrews, deputy director for work at the organisation said: “Businesses benefit from having a multigenerational workforce and in this challenging recruitment climate, finding the hires needed in the underused pool of older workers makes perfect sense.

"It is also key that Lancashire businesses support existing older employees in the workplace. Paul Blythin, Project Lead for Business Health Matters, added: “A challenge that some of our older employees can face is a decline in their health, which can lead to long-term conditions and result in economic inactivity. We’re urging Lancashire businesses to support their employees, particularly those over 50, with annual checks on their physical and mental health so that early prevention can be put into place.

“Due to the rate of those over 50 and not in work in Lancashire, we have worked to source funding from Innovate UK to part-fund a workplace health check service so it is affordable to as many businesses as possible, with our checks costing just £60 per employee.”

The Business Health Matters health checks have been developed by Active Lancashire, the University of Central Lancashire’s School of Medicine and Lancashire Mind to offer an affordable and comprehensive health check service to businesses of all sizes across Lancashire.

To find out more about what’s included, please click here and to get in touch with the team and start your journey to improving workplace health, please click here.

Click here for further information on the Lancashire Skills Hub research.

Latest news

1

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year John Jones

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year

03 Jul 2025

2

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth Additive manufacturing technology unit At Airframe Designs

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth

03 Jul 2025

3

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud James Cole

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud

03 Jul 2025

4

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector Mo Isap Chair Of The Lancashire Business Board Nick Miles National Cyber Force Deputy Director For Samlesbury Annette Weekes Representative Of The NWRDSC

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector

03 Jul 2025

5

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire BAE Systems Radar

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire

02 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin