Wed, 05 Nov 2025

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 UK facing sickness bill 'crisis' - what needs to change to get more people working?

Plans to get more people working pose some challenges for employers, employees and health services.

* 1 in 5 working-age people are economically inactive, with Sir Charlie Mayfield's review highlighting the need for a "shared responsibility" between employers, employees, and health services.
* Employers are urged to support workers with health issues and provide opportunities for disabled individuals, but many small businesses argue they lack the resources to invest in workplace health initiatives.
* The report emphasizes the importance of employee personal responsibility and warns that relying on welfare can lead to detachment and dependency rather than recovery and participation.
* The Equality Act 2010 requires employers to make "reasonable adjustments" for disabled people, but some business groups argue that new employment laws may clash with these provisions.
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