Marvin OnumonuMore than 60 major employers and many smaller firms have joined with the Government to tackle rising ill-health that is keeping people out of work and holding back growth.
The three-year Keep Britain Working partnership, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, will focus on prevention, early support and helping people get back to work.
The Government is also launching employer-led Vanguards, including firms like British Airways, Google, Sainsbury’s and Holland and Barrett, as well as mayoral authorities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to trial workplace health measures.
The Vanguards will develop and test new ways to reduce sickness absence, improve return-to-work rates and boost disability employment.
The Government aims to turn this approach into a voluntary certified standard by 2029, and is investing £1bn annually in disability employment support by the end of the decade.
Sir Charlie Mayfield, author of the Keep Britain Working Review, said: “Britain is sliding into an avoidable crisis.
“Ill-health has become one of the biggest brakes on growth and opportunity.
“But this is not inevitable. Employers are uniquely placed to make a difference, preventing health issues where possible, supporting people when they arise, and helping them return to work.”
Mayfield added: “If we keep Britain working, everyone wins – people, employers, and the state.
“That’s why the action the government is taking forward from my Review is so important.
“I’m looking forward to working with them and with employers, large and small, to keep people in work, unlock potential and build a healthier, more prosperous Britain.”
Sir Charlie Mayfield will co-lead a Vanguard Taskforce with ministers, bringing together employers, disabled people, workers’ representatives and health experts to develop and test interventions for wider use.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “I want to thank Sir Charlie Mayfield for his excellent work.
“His message is crystal clear: keeping people healthy and in work is the right thing to do and is essential for economic growth.
“Business is our partner in building a productive workforce – because when businesses retain talent and reduce workplace ill-health, everyone wins.”
McFadden added: “That’s why we’re acting now to launch employer-led Vanguards as part of the Plan for Change, driving economic growth and opportunity across the country.”
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Many more people could remain in work if they receive the right support—and that’s exactly what today’s action is about.
“That’s why ‘Keep Britain Working’ is bringing together the expertise of leading UK businesses to help prevent ill health at work wherever possible, and to support those affected stay in work.
“We believe that when people are treated with dignity and care, businesses flourish. Through our Plan to Make Work Pay, we’re committed to raising standards so that everyone can share in the benefits of a stronger economy and enjoy a better quality of life.”
REACTION:
John Foster, chief policy and campaigns officer at the CBI:
“Businesses recognise the urgent need to deliver a positive step-change in how government and firms work together to support people experiencing health-related barriers to work.
“Today’s report represents a significant milestone in that journey and will be welcomed across the business community.
“With the cost of employing people already a barrier to creating jobs, it’s right that the focus is on how to help firms make the most of their considerable investment in health and wellbeing through better data about what works.
“Despite being a final report, the task of tackling health-related inactivity is just beginning, and we look forward to working with government and industry over the coming years to translate the report’s principles into action.”
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for Group Risk Development (GRiD):
“Helping employees stay in and return to work, particularly the sick and disabled, has long been a focus for the group risk industry, and, as such, GRiD has appreciated the opportunity of working collaboratively with Sir Charlie Mayfield to demonstrate the value of the vocational rehabilitation model for employers, their employees and the state.
“The report recommends that more employers adopt a Workplace Health Provision model which encompasses case management, early intervention and stay-in and return-to-work plans.
“It further suggests that, as currently, this should be funded by employers and delivered by the existing eco-system of providers, such as Group Income Protection insurers.
“The strong acceptance by Government of the report’s recommendations constitutes clear recognition that the vocational rehabilitation and case-management services – such as those offered by Group Income Protection insurers to help clients’ employees maintain their health, and facilitate their return to work – represent best practice.
“It’s encouraging that Government wants to see wider adoption of such an approach, which would benefit individuals, businesses, and the wider economy.
“GRiD and its members look forward to the continued partnership between employers, providers and Government, which is envisaged in the Vanguard phase, and working further with Sir Charlie Mayfield, the new Workplace Health Intelligence Unit and across Government to refine how this will work in practice.”
Catherine Foot, director of the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement:
“We welcome the publication of the Keep Britain Working Review as there is a clear need for reform to tackle economic inactivity due to ill health and disability.
“The scale of the challenge is significant, with over 8.7 million people in the UK living with work-limiting health conditions – including an increase of 900,000 in those aged 50–64 since 2015.
“The review rightly highlights that small changes won’t be enough; we need coordinated action across government, employers, and health services to create better pathways into and back into work.
“Enabling people in their 50s and 60s to enter and stay in good work is not only vital for national economic growth, it’s also essential for individual financial resilience.
“Supporting longer working lives helps people continue earning and saving, reducing the risk of pre-retirement poverty and the need to draw down pensions too early.
“Promoting longer, healthier working lives in all age groups is good for the economy, businesses and workers, and good quality work also plays a vital role in enabling better, longer lives and enabling individuals to benefit from improved mental and financial health as they journey towards retirement.
“We look forward to working with the government on the review findings as well as other proven interventions such as flexible work, paid carers leave and reforms to adult careers guidance.”
