One of the UK’s biggest challenges is the number of people who are economically inactive due to ill health. Hannah Szczepanski argues that the government’s drive to get people back to work must make sure it puts the person at the centre.
With the UK facing a surge of economic inactivity, the question of how to get Britain back to work is more pressing than ever, and one that is fundamental to the government’s number one mission to grow the economy.
There are nearly 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term sickness in the UK - a staggering figure that has risen sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic and roughly equivalent to the population of Greater Manchester. Given the size of this group, Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary, has promised action to tackle what she has labelled ‘the greatest employment challenge for a generation’.
Why this matters
The potential rewards in addressing economic activity are immense. For individuals, employment is more than just a way to earn a living – it can enhance overall well-being, contribute to a person's identity and sense of purpose, and act as a protective factor against illness. Personally, I recognise how crucial my work is to my own health. It’s no surprise that work is increasingly being seen as a key health outcome in its own right.
According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, the cost of people out of work due to ill-health since the pandemic exceeds £15bn. The Learning & Work Institute estimates that raising the labour market participation rate from 78% to 80% – in line with the government’s ambition – could boost the economy by £23bn per year, boost the public finances by £8bn, and increase household income by an average of £830 per year.
Where should we start?
Health and the economy already have a close relationship. The fourth aim of Integrated Care Systems is to 'help the NHS support broader social and economic development', and the NHS is recognised as ‘anchor institutions' in local places. The new government has been clear that it wants to extend this focus and ensure health service and employment services work hand-in-glove. A White Paper with a ‘Plan to Get Britain Working’ is expected later in the year.
Of course, genuine partnership working will be essential to support people with health needs back into employment, just as it is for solving any complex and messy challenge. A siloed approach to supporting people with health needs back into work will fail, and result in more ‘one-size-fits-few’ services. A solution requires genuine collaboration.
I believe that the place to start is with individuals themselves. We need to see individuals as with potential that needs to be unlocked, not as a problem to be solved or ‘fixed’.
While this perspective is hard to disagree with—after all, it boils down to respect— we also need to translate this mindset into genuine action. This necessitates significant changes to the current approach to supporting people find their feet and return to work.
Every individual is unique, with their own set of needs and barriers to work. These are often complex – for example, nearly 40% of individuals who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness report having five or more health conditions, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Every individual also has different aspirations and priorities. Support must start with listening to the person and be tailored to what matters most to them. This approach also means empowering individuals to take control of their own employment journey, leaving behind the approach where individuals are passed from pillar to post. Instead, it involves much more time understanding a person and building a trusting relationship with them. This means no more repetitive assessments, but focusing on personal agency, resilience and self-efficacy – all of which are crucial for someone to return to, stay in, and succeed at work.
While one person might need mental health support to build confidence and resilience, another might benefit from advice on lifestyle changes and coping strategies to manage their health condition or other things that are going on in their life. Whilst assistive technology or ergonomic modifications to their workspace might be helpful for some, others might really benefit from building social connections to address social isolation. Sometimes, the support needed can be more unconventional. Take, for example, a man who was supported to have a tattoo removed from his forehead, significantly boosting his self-esteem and improving his prospects of moving back into employment.
The system must - and can - improve
Unfortunately, examples like this are often too far removed from the way the system operates. The Commission on the Future of Employment Support found that the personalisation is a core challenge of the system, with many support services failing to meet individuals’ needs, particularly for the most disadvantaged in the labour market. It found that that the UK system frequently acts as an extension of the benefits system, relying heavily on compliance and sanctions rather than support.
The government have signalled their intentions to act in this area. But local areas should not wait for national changes. The Pathways to Work Commission Report emphasised the importance of place-based solutions, tailored to the specific needs of local communities like Barnsley. Individuals out of work due to ill-health represent a huge opportunity for places – but it is important that they are seen as genuine partners in creating an inclusive and successful economy.
For more on the ideas raised in this article, and to learn how MV could help your organisation, contact Hannah.Szczepanski@mutualventures.co.uk
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