UK Long Covid Status Report Feb 2025 – Prevalence & Impact

Report produced by Long Covid Support, for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Long Covid

🔬 Overview

Long Covid is a serious, multisystem condition with health, economic, and social consequences. Its burden is comparable to major chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Despite growing evidence, UK services, surveillance, and research funding have fallen short.

📊 Key Findings

📈 Prevalence:

• 2 million people in England and Scotland self-report Long Covid (ONS, March 2024).
• 381,000 describe their daily activities as “limited a lot”; over one-third have had it for 2+ years.
• Reinfections increase Long Covid risk. Risk is higher among women, middle-aged adults, and those with severe initial illness.

💷 Economic Impact:

• Long COVID contributed to 8–12% of the 749,000 rise in economic inactivity (2023–24).
• Estimated:
  • £11.2bn/year lost health-related quality of life
  • £5.7bn lost income
  • £4.8bn cost of informal caregiving
• Long Covid patients cost the NHS over £700/year – 2.5× pre-pandemic levels.
• Cognitive impairments have major implications for workforce capacity.

🏥 Healthcare Access:

• NHS England set up Long Covid clinics in 2022, but many are now underfunded, closed, or scaled back.
• Only 34 services may remain in England by April 2025.
• NICE guidelines have not kept pace with new evidence; many patients experience disbelief or inadequate care.

🔍 Research Gaps:

• No new dedicated NIHR funding since 2021.
• Urgent need for treatment trials and service design research.
• Long Covid is a collection of subtypes, requiring tailored care.

🛡️ Prevention:

• Preventing infection remains key. Tools include clean air, masks, vaccines, and antivirals.
• Public health policies have neglected Long Covid risks in their vaccination and antiviral strategies.

⚖️ Inequalities:

• Long Covid exacerbates existing health, economic and geographic inequalities.
• Many now live with disability and face barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and support.

📣 Patient Voice:

• People with Long Covid have led advocacy, research, and awareness efforts since 2020.
• Online communities are vital sources of information and support.

⚠️ Implications

This report highlights the urgent need for:

• Continued surveillance and better data
• Investment in treatment and support services
• Policy reforms for workplace accommodations and income protection
• Stronger airborne infection prevention measures to reduce reinfection risk

🔗 Full report available by clicking here.