THE government should introduce a national occupational health service to reduce the rising number of people leaving the job market, new research suggested today.

A report by the Fabian Society think tank, backed by Unison, found that only 45 per cent of workers have access to occupational health through their employer.

Yet 1.7 million reported illnesses were caused or worsened by work in 2023-24, a 44 per cent increase compared with 2010. Those reporting a disabling condition have also increased by 4.3 million.

While employers spend £900m on occupational health, the report noted that inconsistencies in quality mean only 27 per cent of workers with long-term conditions thought it helped their employer provide support.

The report suggests a national occupational health service would enable universal access, and could be partly funded by introducing a new health element to the proposed Growth and Skills Levy, paid by the largest 10 per cent of employers. 

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Hundreds of thousands of people leave the workforce for preventable health reasons, often never to return.

“But tackling issues at an early stage so people are happier and healthier is the best way to keep them engaged in their work for longer.”

A government spokesperson said: “We are taking action to get Britain back to health and into work by giving people the skills and opportunities they need as part of our Plan for Change.

“Our record £3.8bn of employment support comes alongside our plan to get Britain working by delivering a Youth Guarantee to get young people into training or work, tackling inactivity, and overhauling jobcentres.”