Birmingham, Manchester and north London are among 15 areas where the long-term ill will received tailored support to rejoin the workforce and prevent a 'spiral of sickness' blighting Britain.

Ministers last night announced the pilot of WorkWell, which will connect those with a health condition or disability to support services including physiotherapy and counselling to help them stay in or return to work.

The Department for Work and Pensions says it will bring together medical assistance and advice on workplace support and advise 59,000 clients in 15 areas of England from October.

The WorkWell pilots are part of a £64million plan to help people stay in work.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has blamed long-term sickness for stifling potential and described economic inactivity as 'one of the great labour market challenges' of our time.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride (pictured) has blamed long-term sickness for stifling potential and described economic inactivity as 'one of the great labour market challenges' of our time

Ministers last night announced the pilot of WorkWell, which will connect those with a health condition or disability to support services including physiotherapy and counselling to help them stay in or return to work (stock image)

The latest figures show that 2.8million are economically inactive because of long-term sickness, a near-record high.

Mr Stride said: 'Too many today are falling out of work in a spiral of sickness that harms their finances, their prospects and ultimately their health, where with the right workplace adjustments and help, this needn't be the case.

'And so we have designed WorkWell, a groundbreaking new service, that will for the first time integrate health and work advice at the local level, as part of our plan to stem the flow into economic inactivity, grow the economy, and change lives for the better.'

Those suffering from long-term sickness or any other condition could either self-refer or be sent to Workwell through an employer or the community sector. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: 'Too often people with disabilities or poor health fall out of work with no support.

'We have a plan to change that and improve lives so everyone has the opportunity to find fulfilling work.

'This service, alongside a faster, simpler and fairer health service, will build a healthier workforce, and a stronger economy.' Rishi Sunak claimed last month Britain was suffering from a 'sicknote culture' with benefits as a life style choice.

But Alison McGovern, Labour's work and pensions spokesman, said: 'The Government's failure to get Britain working is terrible for people and catastrophic for the public finances.

'We need a long-term plan to fix our NHS and get Britain working, not more pilots skirting around the edges.'