Tom Espiner
BBC business reporter
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More than a fifth of UK working-age adults are still not in work or actively looking for work, official figures suggest.
The UK economic inactivity rate was 21.5% in the three months to January, marking a drop from both the previous quarter and year, and is relatively low compared with trends since 2009.
However, the number of people not looking for work has been brought into sharp focus as the government brings in plans to try to boost UK economic growth.
The figures come after controversial plans to cut sickness and disability benefits were announced this week, and ahead of next week’s Spring Statement when Chancellor Rachel Reeves will give an update on her economic plans.
On Tuesday, the government announced sweeping cuts to sickness and disability benefits aimed at saving £5bn a year by 2030.
It says the measures will encourage people to work while protecting those who cannot.
But the reforms have faced fierce criticism from Labour backbenchers, unions and charities, who say the changes could push more disabled people into poverty.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the latest employment figures “demonstrate the scale of the challenge we’re still facing to get Britain
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