Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Musculoskeletal Conditions and Employment

10 January 2024 · 7 other contributors · 10,730 words

Opened by Margaret Greenwood Lab Wirral West

Responding minister: Mims Davies

EmploymentBenefits & WelfareNHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Margaret Greenwood raised concerns about musculoskeletal conditions and employment in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about musculoskeletal conditions leading to pain, reduced mobility, isolation, unemployment, and poverty.
  • Research indicates that over 20 million people in the UK, or about a third of the population, live with an MSK condition.
  • The Government is urged to create a cross-departmental MSK strategy to address these issues and promote good MSK health.

Key requests to Government

The Government should come forward with a cross-departmental MSK strategy that sets out how it will promote good MSK health, reduce the risk of accidents and practices leading to or exacerbating MSK conditions, ensure support for those in need through workplace adjustments, increase investment in leisure centres and research into MSK conditions, improve Access to Work awareness, ban zero-hour contracts, restore HSE funding to 2010 levels, address shortcomings in fracture liaison services, promote flexible working from day one, and invest more in health and wellbeing initiatives.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Margaret Greenwood Lab Wirral West

I am concerned about the devastating impact of musculoskeletal conditions on individuals, leading to pain, reduced mobility, isolation, unemployment, and poverty. These conditions cause substantial costs to the state in social security and NHS spending, with MSK disorders accounting for 6.6 million lost days in work-related ill health. Research from Versus Arthritis suggests that over 20 million people—around a third of the UK population—live with an MSK condition, costing £2.5 billion in working days lost due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis alone.

Other contributors (7)
  • Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry

    Suggested that employment advisers should understand lesser-known conditions such as syringomyelia to better support individuals in maintaining or returning to work.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Commends the hon. Member for Wirral West for bringing forward the debate on musculoskeletal conditions and employment, noting that almost half a million people in Northern Ireland suffer from MSK conditions, which is one quarter of the population. Calls for support to enable working individuals to continue their work and for small businesses to receive guidance on making reasonable adjustments. Stressing the need for no stigma around MSK conditions and support particularly for small businesses. He highlighted the high prevalence of MSK conditions in Northern Ireland, calling for urgent action.

  • John Martin McDonnell Lab Hayes and Harlington

    He discussed the impact of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly back injuries among baggage handlers at Heathrow airport in his constituency. He highlighted the need for early engagement with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), trade unions, and employers to prevent workplace injuries. McDonnell also raised concerns about the resourcing of HSE and the increasing number of small companies not adhering to guidelines due to infrequent inspections. Additionally, he addressed poverty's link to work practices, fatigue, and diet affecting MSK conditions.

  • Marion Fellows SNP West Dunbartonshire

    Marion Fellows highlighted the impact of changes to work capability assessments, which may put individuals with MSK conditions at risk. She called for an increase in statutory sick pay and guidance on reasonable adjustments from employers. Fellows also stressed the need for a fair work nation by 2025, advocating for measures that support disabled people's access to work and living wages.

  • Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton

    Questioned the practicality of dietary advice provided by large employers for individuals with arthritis, highlighting the cost of living crisis making it difficult to afford healthy food options.

  • Tom Randall

    Emphasised the importance of addressing musculoskeletal conditions for employment and highlighted the economic costs, including £187,000 lost income due to delayed diagnosis. Welcomed government funding but called for tailored support schemes and a change in mindset towards MSK conditions.

  • Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North

    The number of people who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness has risen to over 2.5 million, an increase of more than 400,000 since the start of the pandemic. The figure is now higher than ever and costs the country an extra £15.7 billion a year. With NHS waiting lists at record highs, people are waiting months for trauma or orthopaedic treatment. I asked the Minister whether the Government would be transparent in publishing data on various pilots aimed at helping individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. The Minister has pointed to several pilot projects, but transparency is crucial for understanding their effectiveness.

Government Response

Mims Davies

It is a pleasure to serve under the chairship of Dame Caroline Dinenage. I thank Margaret Greenwood for introducing today's debate in a constructive, positive and very interesting way. The Government's commitment to enabling people with musculoskeletal conditions to start work, stay in work, and succeed in work was highlighted by several Members during the debate. The joint Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health and Social Care work and health directorate was set up in 2015. The Government recognise the strong links between work and health and the importance for health of good work. I assure John McDonnell that the HSE's representatives will come to Parliament shortly to give an update on their work. Supporting and empowering those with MSK conditions is very important. In fact, I invited my ministerial predecessor, Tom Pursglove, to visit VIM Health where he saw how innovative technologies can make healthcare more accessible, enjoyable and transformative. I am looking forward to meeting Versus Arthritis representatives later this month. Around a third of the UK population—over 20 million people—live with an MSK condition. The Government recognise that leaving employment is not the only option. We are introducing employment advisers within MSK services, developing and scaling up MSK hubs in the community, making the most of digital health technologies to support people with MSK conditions, and increasing work coach time in jobcentres. We have announced our Back to Work plan which includes doubling the number of universal support employment programme places, testing new ways of providing individuals receiving a fit note with timely access to key support, and supporting people with health-related barriers to work through 15 WorkWell pilot areas. We also pay close attention to the impact of poor MSK health on women, older populations, and certain ethnic groups. The Government have published the MSK health toolkit for employers which encourages them to support adolescents and young adults with MSK conditions. The Access to Work scheme plays a key role in enabling people, but delays are improving. We need to look at adjustments and support from employers, government, the wider economy, and the NHS.

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