Employer support for Keep Britain Working programme doubles, Government says

Support for the Government’s Keep Britain Working programme has more than doubled since the publication of the review in November 2025, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Around 150 organisations employing approximately 1.5 million workers have now joined the programme’s “Vanguard” phase, alongside 10 mayoral and strategic authorities and representatives from across the UK’s nations.

The initiative, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, aims to address rising levels of economic inactivity linked to ill health, with 2.8 million people currently out of work due to long-term sickness.

Participating employers include a mix of large organisations, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public sector bodies, including Transport for London (TfL) and Siemens.

The programme is focused on developing practical approaches to improving workplace health, including supporting disability inclusion, preventing health deterioration, helping employees remain in or return to work, and improving data on workforce health outcomes.

As part of the next phase, a new standard for healthy working will be developed in partnership with the British Standards Institution, alongside the creation of an independent advisory group made up of representatives from business, trade unions, healthcare and disability inclusion.

Mayfield said: “The numbers speak for themselves. This is a serious problem. But, it’s also fixable.

“The response and engagement from employers, mayors and leaders across the whole of the UK has been extraordinary.

“We are moving at pace to surface, consider and solve the issues.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “I want to thank Sir Charlie Mayfield for his ongoing work spearheading this programme.

“That 150 organisations have already stepped forward to be part of it, showing just how much appetite there is for an employer-led approach to supporting disabled employees and those experiencing ill-health.

“Business is our partner in building a productive workforce because when businesses retain talent and reduce workplace ill-health, everyone wins.”

Business Secretary Peter Kyle added: “Businesses are the backbone of our drive to get people back into work, with their success critical to economic growth.

“That’s why it’s so great to see more and more employers stepping forward to become vanguards, demonstrating good employers recognise that when they back their workers, their workers back them.”