Businesses told to invest £6bn a year on workplace health

The Keep Britain Working review has been published ahead of the Autumn Budget this month. 

Employers have been urged to better support workers’ health, after a major government-commissioned review warned Britain’s growing levels of long-term sickness are driving people out of the labour market and costing the economy billions each year.

Led by former John Lewis chair Charlie Mayfield, the review shows as many as one in five working-age adults, which equates to more than nine million people, are now classed as economically inactive. Long-term illness was cited by almost three million as the reason why and the report estimates it costs the economy up to £85bn a year. 

Against this backdrop, Mayfield called for an expansion of occupational health provision and said employers should invest around £6bn annually to help tackle the problem. 

He suggested firms could expect to spend between £5 and £15 per employee per month on improved workplace health services, arguing that prevention and early intervention would save money in the long run.

Speaking to The Guardian, Mayfield said: ‘What we are proposing is a fundamental reset in terms of how health is handled in the workplace. We’re saying we have to move from [a] situation where, for most people, health is for the individual and NHS – we have to move from that position to one where health becomes a true partnership between employers, employees and the ehalth services generally.’

The report proposes a government-backed certification system for workplace health schemes and integrating them with digital NHS services. It also recommends tax incentives and rebates to encourage investment in employee and wellbeing and the payment of sick pay. 

More than 60 employers are expected to pilot the review’s recommendations over the next three years. 

Commenting on the publication of the report, Cllr Wendy Taylor, of the Local Government Association, said councils ‘are already leading efforts to improve health, reduce inequalities [and] engage local employers’.

‘However, these proposals will only succeed if local government is fully involved. Councils have statutory responsibilities for public health and social care and are uniquely placed to deliver integrated, place-based solutions that address the wider determinants of health,’ Cllr Taylor continued. ‘We urge government to work with councils and combined authorities to ensure reforms are joined up and make the most of local expertise.’

Karin Orman, director of practice and innovation at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, has likewise welcomed the report. 

‘This long-awaited report is a big step forward for people facing health barriers to work,’ Orman said. ‘Everyone’s employment journey is different and the support available must reflect that. Employers need access to expertise to help them retain staff.‘

‘Occupational therapy practice is focused on preventing poor health and poor quality of life. Employment for many people is key to financial stability, purpose, identity and participation in society,’ Orman added.

‘It is crucial that people are not robbed of the opportunity to enter or remain in work because there isn’t enough support or the right expertise. That’s why we welcome the ambitions within this report and will offer occupational therapy expertise during the first phase of the proposals and beyond.’

Photo: Vitaly Gariev/UnSplash

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