Employer-led vanguards including mayoral combined authorities will drive forward Government plans to get people with ill-health and disabilities back into work.

The vanguards, also including household names such as British Airways and SMEs, are leading the three-year partnership announced by Sir Charlie Mayfield on Wednesday (5 November) as part of the Keep Britain Working Review.

Cornwall Council and combined authorities in East Midlands, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, the North East and West Midlands are all taking part.

Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden said: ‘Business is our partner in building a productive workforce - because when businesses retain talent and reduce workplace ill-health, everyone wins.'

One in five working-age adults are now out of the labour force – 800,000 more than in 2019 due to health reasons. The cost of ill-health that prevents work equals 7% of GDP – nearly 70% of all income-tax receipts. UK employment among disabled people stands at 53%, below leading OECD nations. Employers lose £85bn a year from sickness, turnover and lost productivity.

Under the plans, the Government will work towards developing the report's healthy working lifecycle into a voluntary certified standard by 2029.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: ‘Across our city region, we're already seeing what's possible when we come together to wrap support around people, creating hope, purpose and lasting opportunity, and being part of the employer-led Vanguard will help us continue that important work.'

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: ‘I look forward to the combined authority working closely with Government and some of our biggest businesses to help people who want to work take opportunities they might otherwise not get.'

Lee Peart is editor of Hemming Group’s Healthcare Management magazine.

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