Context
The 'Keep Britain Working' report made several recommendations, including providing evidence of returns on investment to incentivize more businesses to implement preventive measures.
Question
As my right hon. Friend knows, Sir Charlie made a number of recommendations, including providing evidence of returns on investments that would incentivise more businesses to take part in preventive measures to ensure that their workers remain healthy and in work. Given the excellent network of academic centres across the UK, how will the proposed workplace health intelligence unit harness their expertise, and ensure that we are reducing health inequalities that also dampen productivity and economic growth?
Answer from The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Pat McFadden)
My hon. Friend raises a number of issues. As I said, we are setting up the unit that Sir Charlie recommended, and I very much hope that it will work with academic expertise across the country. Her initial point about this being a win-win for employers is important, because if an employer lets someone go, they lose that experience and have to go through the effort of hiring somebody new and training them up. It is a worthwhile experience to try to help someone stay in work if they have a decline in their health over a period of time.
Not addressed: Specific details on how the unit will use academic expertise or evidence of returns on investments were not provided, and the response did not address reducing health inequalities specifically.
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