Following the announcement by the Labour Government outlining plans to rescind welfare benefits and push hundreds of thousands of long-term sick individuals back into work, one leading healthcare CEO has warned that without support in the workplace to cater for those unwell, the UK workforce risks an inevitable cycle of sickness.
Commenting on plans, Jack Latus, CEO of leading occupational health surveillance provider, Latus Group, said,
“With the UK’s sickness-related benefits bill projected to rise by £20 billion in the next five years, the Government’s push to get people off benefits and back into work is understandable. No economy can grow with a workforce sidelined by illness, and without real investment in workplace healthcare to address the root causes of long-term sickness, this approach risks an inevitable cycle of sickness that will repeat itself in future.”
“The rise in work-related stress, mental health conditions and musculoskeletal disorders isn’t just a coincidence – it is a direct result of workplaces that are failing to protect and support their people, and if we want a healthier workforce, companies need the right incentives to invest in their staff, physically and mentally.
“Right now, we’re seeing some sectors get tax relief for investing in machinery, but the same logic isn’t applied to workforce health, which seems an obvious oversight. If the Government is serious about getting the nation working again, it needs to start with keeping people in work. This means tax incentives that help companies support their staff, rather than a short-sighted approach to reforming benefits and welfare which ultimately only further punishes those who are already struggling for adequate healthcare.
“At the moment, it’s a lose-lose situation where employers struggle with staff shortages and the Government loses tax revenue from those unable to work, yet with better incentives and support, not only will we prevent illness and reduce NHS pressures, but ultimately it would lower the benefits bill that the Chancellor is so urgently seeking.
“Investment in workplace health isn’t just a cost-saving measure, it is a long-term economic strategy that will benefit businesses, employees and the wider economy in the long-run.”
