Work-related ill-health is costing the economy £415m a week, new analysis finds

Work-related ill-health is costing the UK economy over £415m a week – according to new TUC analysis published on 10th March, 2025. 

The analysis of official statistics showed that the number of days lost due to health conditions – including stress, depression and anxiety – has shot up by a third since 2010. 

In 2023 to 2024, 34 million working days were lost to work-related ill-health – compared to 22 million in 2010. 

The TUC said the findings – which are published as the Employment Rights Bill returns to Parliament – showed the “urgent importance” of improving the quality of work in the UK. 

In 2022 to 2023 work-related ill-health is estimated to have reduced economic output by £21.6bn. 

The TUC said the rise in days lost to work-related ill health has coincided with a huge boom in insecure work. 

The union body estimated that over a similar period (2011-2023) the number of people in precarious employment also rocketed by a third to over 4 million. 

A separate report from the Commission for Healthier Working Lives suggested that poor quality work can harm employee health. 

The report stated: “Most health conditions develop outside work, but for a significant number of people, work itself is the cause.

“Persistent insecurity, workplace discrimination and extreme demands take a serious toll on health. In some cases, poor-quality work is even worse for health than being unemployed.” 

The TUC said driving up employment standards will help improve staff well-being, health and productivity.

It will also ensure that more people with disabilities or health conditions can stay in work.  

This view was backed up by polling last autumn which revealed that three-quarters (75%) of managers think that strengthened employment rights will improve employee health, compared to just 4% who disagree

Seven in ten (74%) also believed that strengthening employment rights will improve workforce retention, compared to just 6% who do not.   

The Government’s Employment Rights Bill will return to parliament this week for its report stage. 

The Bill will deliver “common-sense reforms” which bring the UK closer to the European mainstream on workers’ rights, the union body says. 

The TUC said the legislation will help to deliver better quality work in every corner of the country by cracking down on insecure work and banning exploitative zero-hours contracts. 

Paul Nowak, general secretary at TUC, said: ”Improving the quality of work in Britain is good for workers and our economy. 

“Work related ill-health is costing us hundreds of millions each week – that’s billions of pounds down the drain every year. 

”That’s why the government’s Employment Rights Bill is so important.

“Cracking down on exploitative practices like zero-hours contracts and giving people more security will boost workers’ health, well-being and productivity.

“It will also help more people stay in work.  

“We need to turn the corner on Britain’s low-rights, low-pay economic model that has been tested to destruction over the last 14 years. 

“Giving working people more control and predictability over their lives will help create a happier, healthier and more robust workforce.”