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A recent report has highlighted the increasing number of sick and disabled individuals who are out of work in the UK. This has led to concerns about the country facing an “economic inactivity crisis” that could have severe repercussions on its prosperity. According to the study conducted by former John Lewis boss Sir Charlie Mayfield, there are currently 800,000 more people out of work due to health conditions compared to 2019, resulting in an annual cost of £85 billion for employers.
The situation could potentially deteriorate further without intervention, but Sir Charlie remains optimistic that this outcome is not inevitable. He will be heading a taskforce with the goal of assisting individuals in getting back to work. While the move has been largely welcomed, some business organizations have expressed concerns about certain aspects of Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, suggesting that it may deter employers from hiring individuals with pre-existing illnesses.
The report revealed that one in five working-age individuals are out of work and not actively seeking employment. Without intervention, it is projected that an additional 600,000 people could exit the workforce due to health reasons by the end of the decade. Sickness-related issues, including lost productivity and sick pay, cost employers £85 billion annually and also have a negative impact on the broader economy, leading to weaker growth, higher welfare expenditure, and increased pressure on the NHS.
In response to the report, the government has announced a significant partnership with over 60 companies, including prominent names such as Tesco, Google UK, Nando’s, and John Lewis, to address the escalating problem of ill-health causing individuals to leave the workforce. Over the next three years, these companies will collaborate to develop and enhance workplace health strategies aimed at reducing sickness absence, improving return-to-work rates, and increasing the employment rate for individuals with disabilities. The government aims to establish these changes as a voluntary certified standard by 2029
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