Establishing universal at-work health support would reduce the rising number of people leaving the job market due to illness and disability.
The Fabian Society, one of the country’s oldest political think tanks, says the introduction of a national occupational health service would be a “win for workers, employers and the country”, helping to get the UKs workforce back to better strength, supporting businesses and reducing government spending on welfare.
The call comes as the think tank published a new research report, entitled Nye’s Lost Legacy (referencing Nye Bevan, the architect of the NHS), which argues that the most effective way to tackle the issue of national health is to intervene when people are still working, by promoting health and providing support. The approach, the report says, would also make it easier for those who have left to return.
According to the report, the number of working-age people reporting a disabling condition has increased by 4.3 million in the past 14 years. Over the same period, pension-age disability has remained largely unchanged, indicating a problem specific to those of working age.
The research also shows that 1.7m people reported illnesses caused or worsened by work in 2023-24 alone. The figure marks a 44 per cent increase on the equivalent number in 2010. For work-related mental illness, the figure has almost doubled in that time, increasing by 93 per cent.
“Employers are often unsure how to meet their responsibilities and there are inconsistencies in access to quality occupational health provision,”
The report states.
“Support is designed to help prevent health problems at work and support workers who are ill – but just 45 per cent of UK workers have access to occupational health through their employer. While employers already invest £900 million in occupational health provision, inconsistencies in quality mean just 27% of workers with long-term health conditions who used these services thought it helped their employer to provide support.”
The report argues a national occupational health service would enable universal access to good quality help from both the public and private sector. This, the Fabian Society says, should be overseen by a new ‘occupational health authority’ sitting within the current Health and Safety Executive and part-funded by introducing a new health element to the proposed Growth and Skills Levy (due to replace the apprenticeship levy) and paid by the largest 10% of employers.
“The creation of a national system could iron out patchy provision, support SMEs and give better value for money,”
The society says in the report. Report author and Fabian Society senior researcher, Sasjkia Otto, said:
Many employers spend a lot of money trying to keep their workforce healthy. But the UK’s failing occupational health system means they do not see return on their investment. Others fall short of the law because their duties towards workers are unclear and inconsistent. A National Occupational Health Service would be a win for everyone, ensuring everybody who needs it can access quality professional advice and support, and that workers are healthier and happier as a result. Nye Bevan, the architect of the NHS, was inspired by the free healthcare workers received in the mining community where he grew up. As people face new health pressures rooted in the workplace and beyond, it is time to revisit Nye’s lost legacy. The ongoing government review into healthy and inclusive work, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, presents a generational opportunity to get this right.”
The report also recommends further support and incentives for employers and workers to access services. These include help for employers experiencing high sickness rates, new duties for organisations dismissing staff on health grounds and clarification of rules around reasonable adjustments.
