The analysis found people of ill health were less likely to receive benefits if they were aged 18 to 24 years, male, of black or mixed ethnicity, born outside the UK and not a native English speaker.

Among working age people in England and Wales who reported being economically inactive because of long-term ill-health and who had not recently immigrated to the UK, 97.4% received social security benefits at any time in the preceding 12 months.

Among people who were economically inactive because of ill-health, 72.5% were in receipt of disability-related benefits and 89.9% were in receipt of other working-age benefits.

Personal Independence Payment (67.1%), Employment and Support Allowance (62.7%) and Housing Benefit (41.3%) were the most common benefits received by people who were economically inactive because of ill-health.

Among people who were economically inactive because of ill-health, people receiving benefits were more likely to be living in rented accommodation, to have never had a paid job and to be a lone parent or living alone.

A DWP spokesperson said: ‘Millions of people have been trapped out of work and on benefits for too long, which is why we're bringing forward reforms to health and disability benefits in the spring, so sick and disabled people are genuinely supported back into work, reducing their reliance on welfare.

‘This builds on the biggest employment reforms in a generation through the Plan for Change. Our £240m Get Britain Working Plan will also empower mayors to tackle inactivity, overhauling Jobcentres so they focus on skills and careers, and a Youth Guarantee ensuring every young person is either earning or learning.'