New plan for Britain’s first Workplace Health System
The UK government announced plans for Britain’s first Workplace Health System to support employees with health conditions or disabilities, aiming to reduce preventable job losses and boost productivity.
A new report by Sir Charlie Mayfield, co-chair of Keep Britain Working, highlights that around 300,000 people with health conditions leave work annually, often unnecessarily. The report notes that 96% of those absent for four to six weeks return to work, but fewer than half do after a year. Since 2019, the number of working-age people out of work due to ill health has risen by 800,000, costing the economy approximately £212 billion annually.
The Workplace Health System will integrate employers, the NHS, local authorities, and support services to prevent health-related job losses. Eleven regional Vanguards, including nine Mayoral Strategic Authorities and multiple councils, are already testing the system with over 200 organisations across the UK. The initiative aims to address gaps where people fall through disconnected services, such as welfare, healthcare, and productivity systems.
An employer standard is being developed with the British Standards Institution to ensure consistent workplace health support, including affordable options for smaller firms through pooled buying and insurance routes. The system is part of a £3.5 billion employment support package, with WorkWell providing £259 million to support up to 250,000 people and Connect to Work reaching 300,000 sick or disabled individuals.
The programme also focuses on improving employer data to track workplace health outcomes, with prototypes and a new data project launching this autumn. Over the next year, the system will be refined with input from Vanguards to build evidence on effective practices. The government emphasises that early intervention is critical to preventing job losses and supporting economic growth.