The Labour government came into office with the promise of boosting growth in the British economy. With this in mind the Get Britain Working White Paper was published by the DWP in November 2024. The launch was accompanied by much coverage in the spoken and written national media.
The White Paper seeks to improve productivity. Two key objectives are moving the economically inactive into work and ensuring those already in work remain healthy and productive.
Scope of the White Paper
It is fair to say that the scope of the document is far wider than just the above. The Prime Minister said;
“We’re overhauling job centres to make them fit for the modern age. We’re giving young people the skills they need to prepare them for the jobs of the future. We’re fixing the NHS so people get the treatment and mental health support they desperately need to be able to get back to work. We’re working with businesses and employers to better support people with disabilities and health conditions to stay and progress in work”
This last sentence is clearly the most immediately important for employers. Pages 30 – 31 of the Get Britain Working document are the key ones for organisations seeking to understand the direction of travel.
Healthy Workplaces
In particular we would highlight the following passage:
“we are launching an independent review into the role of employers in creating and maintaining healthy and inclusive workplaces”
This review is intended to improve recruitment and retention of disabled people and those with health conditions. It also aims to support healthy workplaces, prevent employee illness and help employers deliver early interventions to combat sickness absence.
Much of the above sounds broadly similar to the debate around the short-lived “Fit For Work” early-intervention service of the 2010s. It is to be hoped that the government avoid a repeat of that, ultimately flawed, exercise. One key difference is that the White Paper commits to local – rather than national – solutions where practical. That will certainly help, although may make any roll-out across England and the devolved regions more complex to deliver.
Joining the conversation
Occupational Health Assessment Ltd welcome the Get Britain Working initiative, and in particular the review of the employer role in healthy workplaces. Part of this review should be the inclusion of rapid occupational health assessments to provide employers with the tools to make truly informed decisions.
We will of course respond to the White Paper and any formal consultation(s) as appropriate and would encourage our corporate clients to do so too. Please follow our “News” pages and/or attend our webinars and events for more insights and information. Alternatively, please contact us to discuss the White Paper objectives in more detail.
About Occupational Health Assessment Ltd – a nationwide occupational health provider
Occupational Health Assessment Ltd provides rapid access to expert occupational health support for businesses across the United Kingdom. Appointments are available nationwide within two days.
With a unique occupational health assessment service, night worker health assessments, fitness certifications and access to clinics in Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Northampton, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton, Stoke, Surrey and more, the business provides high quality, expert medical advice.
Please contact us for further information or assistance.