UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A report shows the UK may lose 600,000 workers to long-term illness by 2035 without better workplace health, causing a £36bn annual loss.
As reported by The Guardian, an analysis warns that 600,000 British workers could leave the workforce over the next decade due to long-term health issues without stronger employer support.
What did the RSPH say about UK workforce health risks by 2035?
The Royal Society of Public Health warns UK adults could leave the workforce by 2035, potentially costing the economy £36bn. This 26% projected increase equates to the entire population of Bristol leaving the workforce.
The report pushes for changes in workplaces to better support employees with physical, mental, and heart-related conditions.
The recent figures come ahead of the upcoming Keep Britain Working review, set to be released this month.
Sir Charlie Mayfield’s review aims to outline recommendations for employers and the government on addressing health-related workforce inactivity and supporting inclusive work environments.
William Roberts, CEO of the RSPH, said,
“The UK’s productivity crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing our economy and long-term health conditions in the workforce are a major factor in this.”
He added,
“We need a fundamental shift in how we see the role of employers in keeping people healthy backed up by a national standard that covers all UK employees.”
The report suggests actions to make workplaces better equipped to protect employee health. It includes a national health and work standard to guarantee a minimum level of support for all UK employees.
RSPH analysis shows almost half of the UK workforce lacks access to workplace health support, including flu vaccinations and cardiovascular checks.
What did Sam Atwell say about tackling workforce health challenges?
Sam Atwell, policy and research manager at the Health Foundation, stated,
“The declining health of the working-age population is one of the biggest challenges facing government.”
He added,
“The only sustainable way to meet this challenge is to keep people healthy and in work for longer. The Keep Britain Working review is a vital opportunity to change this. It should recommend that government and employers take early action on workforce health through clearer standards and create a roadmap to expand access to specialist ‘caseworker’ support that helps people stay healthy and in work for longer.”
How did Jamie O’Halloran explain employers’ role in employment?
Jamie O’Halloran, a research fellow at the Health Foundation, stated,
“If we are to reduce economic inactivity and raise the employment rate, harnessing the role of employers will be essential. Doing so would not only benefit government but also employers themselves – through lower staff turnover, reduced presenteeism and higher productivity.”
She added,
“We believe this requires raising the minimum standards of support for employees across all workplaces, while also helping and encouraging businesses to go further. Investing in staff – especially in line managers – benefits both employees and employers. It improves workers’ health and wellbeing while strengthening the overall health and performance of the business.”
How did the Government outline plans to boost workforce health?
A government spokesperson stated,
“Good work is good for health and good for the economy. Through our 10-year health plan we’re shifting from sickness to prevention and helping frontline staff like GPs and physiotherapists to get patients the personalised support they need to get back to into work. The upcoming Keep Britain Working review is also looking at how employers can support employee health and create more inclusive workplaces.”
They added,
“Everyone we can help stay in or return to work isn’t just transforming their own life – they’re contributing to our communities, economic growth and building the healthier, more prosperous nation we all want to see.”
Is health policy included in the UK’s Employment Rights Bill or not?
The UK’s Employment Rights Bill includes health-related policies chiefly through improvements in Statutory Sick Pay.
The Bill introduces a new entitlement to SSP from day one of illness, extending coverage to low-paid workers and increasing sick pay by around £400 million annually. This is aimed at reducing financial hardship for sick workers and improving worker wellbeing.
It includes provisions to improve working conditions, specifically in health and social care sectors, such as reducing reliance on insecure zero-hours contracts and guaranteeing hours.
What is the NHS 10-year plan?
The NHS 10 Year Health Plan aims to shift care from hospitals to communities by establishing neighborhood health centers as one-stop shops with multidisciplinary teams, improving access and coordination of care.It focuses on three major shifts: moving from analogue to digital services, shifting from sickness treatment to prevention, and relocating care closer to people’s homes to enhance sustainability and patient experience.
