The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is planning to enhance support for people off work due to ill health or disability through a proposed Workplace Health System. The system aims to provide earlier support to help individuals with health conditions or disabilities stay in or return to work.
According to officials, around 300,000 people with health concerns leave employment each year. If an employee is off work for four to six weeks, there is a 96 per cent chance of them returning, but less than half manage this if the absence extends beyond a year.
Economic impact of health-related inactivity
Since 2019, the number of working-age individuals out of employment due to poor health has increased by 800,000, resulting in an economic impact of roughly £212 billion per year. The new strategy seeks to change this by creating more supportive, inclusive work environments and improved occupational health services.
The strategy unites employers, the NHS, local councils and additional support organisations to ensure workers do not exit employment unnecessarily and businesses gain enhanced data on workplace health and inclusion. Eleven regional Vanguards, including nine Mayoral Strategic Authorities, Cornwall Council, Hull City Council and Worcestershire City Council, and more than 200 Vanguard organisations are already building and testing the new system with employers, unions and disabled people across all four nations of the UK.
Official statements and support package
Sir Charlie Mayfield, author of the Keep Britain Working Review and Co-Chair of the Keep Britain Working programme, said: "Britain has spent too long treating economic inactivity as a welfare problem. It is not. Instead, it's one of the largest and most attainable growth opportunities this country has. We've had a National Health Service for almost 80 years. We've never had a Workplace Health System. That is why the same people appear on the welfare bill, on NHS waiting lists and in the productivity figures without anyone being able to join them up."
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: "Too many people fall out of work because of a health problem that could have been caught earlier, and too many employers have no way of knowing whether they are getting this right. This programme is working hand in hand with employers, mayors and local leaders to change that, so that good workplace health support is not just for big companies and it delivers growth across every postcode."
The Government has unveiled a £3.5 billion employment support package. WorkWell, underpinned by £259 million, is set to assist up to 250,000 individuals in remaining in or re-entering employment. Connect to Work is designed to reach 300,000 people who are sick or disabled with bespoke support. More than 1,000 full-time Pathways to Work advisers have already been deployed throughout Britain.
Next steps and regional rollout
A fresh employer data initiative and work and health prototype are being developed this autumn to address these gaps. Minister of State for Work and Health Ally McGovern said: "Anyone can find themself with an illness that could stop them working. Getting help quickly rather than waiting for the problem to get worse is the right way to support good health and a strong economy."
Regional Vanguards include Cornwall Council, East Midlands, Greater London Authority, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, North East Combined Mayoral Authority, South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority, West Midlands Combined Mayoral Authority, West of England Combined Mayoral Authority, West Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority and Worcestershire County Council.
