Employers increasingly concerned about gaps in state health support, says GRiD 

Seven in 10 employers are now concerned about the lack of state support for employee health and wellbeing and the impact it is having on their workforce. 

According to new research from Group Risk Development (GRiD), there is growing pressure on employers to fill widening gaps in access to healthcare, mental health support and preventative services due to NHS and public sector funding constraints.

GRiD’s research found that 70 per cent of employers believe there is insufficient state support for the health and wellbeing of UK workers, up from 63 per cent in 2025. 

Mental health support emerged as the area of greatest concern, with 43 per cent of employers saying the lack of provision is affecting employees and workplaces. Concerns were also raised around financial support for workers unable to work because of sickness or injury (39 per cent), access to preventative care (38 per cent) and physical health support (35 per cent). 

Employees themselves appear increasingly aware of the shift. Nearly a third (29 per cent) said NHS pressures mean they are becoming more reliant on their employer for mental health support, including access to counselling. 

Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, said the findings reflect a growing reality for employers navigating long-term strain across the public healthcare system. 

“Constraints on public sector funding have not eased over the past 12 months and this is reflected in the growing number of employers who are concerned about the level of state support available for their people and the impact it has on them,” she said. 

“As a result, many employers will feel the impact as more employees are affected.” 

The findings land at a time when employers are facing rising sickness absence, growing demand for occupational health support and increasing pressure to support workforce resilience and retention. 

GRiD argues that employee benefits are increasingly being used not simply as engagement tools, but as infrastructure to bridge gaps in state provision. 

“With the Government facing significant budgetary challenges, employers increasingly carry greater responsibility for supporting their people,” said Moxham. 

“In light of this, health and wellbeing benefits need to deliver more value than ever. Employers that use benefits to bridge gaps in state provision are more likely to maintain a healthier workforce, minimise absence and sustain productivity.” 

The organisation highlighted the role of group risk benefits, including employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection and critical illness cover, alongside access to earlier intervention and support services. 

The research also reinforces a broader trend emerging across workplace wellbeing, where employers are increasingly expected to act as access points to healthcare, prevention and mental health support as employees struggle to access timely care elsewhere. 

Moxham said employer action can have a direct impact on workforce recovery and organisational resilience. 

“How organisations respond to the lack of state support is within their control,” she said. 

“By offering the right support, employers can influence how quickly people access help – and this can directly influence how quickly they return to work. This is not just about businesses doing the right thing by their people, but also about safeguarding the long-term resilience of their organisation.”