Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has issued a stark warning about Britain's looming demographic crisis, suggesting pensioners could outnumber workers within just six years unless radical action is taken.
In an exclusive interview, the Labour frontbencher revealed shocking projections showing the UK workforce shrinking dramatically while retirement numbers soar. "We're facing a perfect storm," Kendall declared. "By 2030, there's a real risk we'll have more people drawing pensions than paying into them."
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
Current Office for National Statistics data paints a worrying picture:
- 1.7 million fewer working-age adults by early 2030s
- Pensioner population growing by 1 million every decade
- Just 2.5 workers supporting each pensioner (down from 3.5 in 2000)
Labour's Proposed Solutions
Kendall outlined Labour's three-pronged approach to tackle the crisis:
- Employment reforms: Helping over-50s and disabled people into work through better support schemes
- Skills revolution: Massive investment in adult education and retraining programmes
- Welfare overhaul: Making the benefits system more flexible to support part-time workers
The shadow minister criticised the Conservative government's record, accusing them of "sticking plaster solutions" that fail to address structural issues in the labour market.
Business Leaders Sound the Alarm
Industry groups have welcomed Labour's focus on the issue, with the CBI warning that workforce shortages could "cripple economic growth" without intervention. Small business representatives particularly highlighted difficulties finding staff in sectors like hospitality and social care.
Kendall concluded with a rallying cry: "This isn't about left or right - it's about fixing a broken system before it's too late. The time for action is now."
