Of those children in workless households, 83.6% lived in long-term workless households, the new ONS data shows.

The lowest percentage of children in long-term workless households was in the South West (6.6%).

The highest percentage of children in long-term workless households was in the North East (16.6%).

In response, Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said: ‘The connection between long-term worklessness and poor health is well known.

'Children in workless households can face poorer education outcomes and future employment prospects – this risks further entrenching inequalities unless we can break the pattern.'

David Finch, assistant director in the Healthy Lives team at the Health Foundation, said: ‘We know that health and work are closely connected. Long-term worklessness often stems from poor health, the main cause of economic inactivity, and has risen since the pandemic. Children growing up in workless households are at greater risk of poverty and poorer physical and mental health, which can limit their chances of future employment, creating a cycle that is difficult to break.

‘The government's ambition to tackle economic inactivity must be led by action to prevent people leaving work in the first place. Government should set the conditions for employers to create healthier, more supportive workplaces that enable people with health conditions to remain and thrive in work. The forthcoming Keep Britain Working review is a key opportunity to turn this ambition into action.'