'Earlier action' | 'Health MOTs' proposed as employers urged to be more proactive on workplace health

Employers could be encouraged to offer health assessments to new recruits under proposals from Sir Charlie Mayfield, who says earlier intervention is essential if the UK is to tackle rising levels of long-term sickness and economic inactivity.

In an update to his Keep Britain Working review, the former John Lewis chairman has recommended piloting workplace "health MOTs" for new employees, alongside a broader package of reforms designed to help organisations prevent people from falling out of work due to ill health.

The proposals come as the Government said almost 200 employers have signed up as "Vanguard" organisations to trial new approaches aimed at supporting people to stay in or return to work. 

Around 2.8 million people are currently out of work because of long-term sickness, while the review estimates health-related economic inactivity costs the UK economy £212 billion each year. Forecasts also suggest a further 600,000 people could leave the workforce by 2030 without intervention.