The number of older workers returning to the workplace increased sharply at the end of last year.

Analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), shows that 197,000 workers aged 50 to 64 left inactivity to go back to work between October and December, as reported by The Times.

Almost half a million people left the workforce completely during the pandemic, mainly those aged 50 to 64, who either chose early retirement or were forced to quit due to long-term sickness.

Those who gave up work during the pandemic make up 57% of the older workers who went back to work at the end of last year.

Unemployment is close to a record low, but not because more people are in work, according to the ONS. The number in work remains below pre-pandemic levels, while the number of people who are 'inactive' (neither working nor available to work) is close to a record high.

The number of inactive 50 to 64-year-olds fell from a post-Covid peak of 27.7% last summer to 27.1% in December.