Economic theory teaches that people will make the optimal allocation of their time between work and leisure, and if they can’t earn why bother to work? That’s a choice neither individuals, nor the country can afford, says Paul Ormerod

The rise in worklessness is acknowledged across the political spectrum to be a serious problem. It has become much more acute since the pandemic and the lockdowns which took place.

In Grimsby, for example, more than half the population of working age is now on some form of benefit. Across the UK as a whole spending on disability benefits for anxiety and depression has doubled since the pandemic. Official figures show that £3.4bn was spent last year on personal independence payments to claimants allegedly suffering from these complaints.

These are just examples of the pervasive nature of the issue.

But could worklessness simply be a rational response by individuals to the economic circumstances?

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