Worklessness rose across more than half of the UK last year as increasing numbers of households became economically inactive. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released on Wednesday revealed that 53pc of areas reported an increase in the proportion of workless households in 2025. Several regions in South Wales were found to be among the areas with the highest percentage of workless households including Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent. The revelation comes as the UK grapples with high levels of workers leaving the labour force because of longer-term sickness. A review by Sir Charlie Mayfield, the former John Lewis chairman, found earlier this year that worklessness caused by ill health was costing the UK £212bn per year.