A report from the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) highlights a potential departure of an additional 600,000 individuals from the British workforce over the next decade due to long-term health conditions. This projection indicates that more than 3.3 million adults may become economically inactive by 2035, a change that could cost the UK economy approximately £36 billion annually.
The anticipated 26% increase in workforce inactivity is equivalent to the entire population of Bristol leaving their jobs. In response, the RSPH is advocating for a significant reevaluation of workplace practices to improve support for employees suffering from conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, mental health issues, and cardiovascular disease.
These findings come just ahead of the forthcoming Keep Britain Working review, which is set to publish recommendations regarding the roles of UK employers and the government in addressing health-related workforce inactivity and promoting healthy workplaces. William Roberts, chief executive of RSPH, emphasized the need for a shift in how employers approach employee health, suggesting that a national standard is necessary for all UK workers.
The RSPH has proposed several supportive measures, including the establishment of a national health and work standard to ensure minimum support for employees. This concern is echoed by Sam Atwell, policy and research manager at the Health Foundation, who underscored the importance of keeping the working-age population healthy and active in the workforce.
Recent analysis revealed that nearly half of the UK workforce currently lacks access to essential health support services at their workplaces. Jamie O’Halloran from the Health Foundation noted that leveraging employers to enhance health support could diminish economic inactivity, benefiting both employees and businesses through reduced turnover and increased productivity.
In response to these findings, a government spokesperson reiterated the importance of promoting health through supportive work environments, highlighting the government’s 10-year health plan aimed at shifting focus from treatment to prevention. The upcoming review is expected to address how employers can better support employee health.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/nov/02/uk-to-lose-600000-workers-to-illness-without-better-health-support-at-work