Government consultation paper, Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s, GRiD calls for employers and the industry to respond

|Group Risk Products - Press Release 29th April 2016

Press release 23 July 2019.

Commenting on the government’s consultation paper Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s* published 22 July, Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for Group Risk Development (GRiD) calls for employers and the health and wellbeing industry to understand the government’s thinking and approach in this area, and respond to the paper. She said:  

“The focus on prevention and improving levels of health, activity and interactivity is the only way to improve health and wellbeing. The group risk industry has already embarked on the journey with employers to improve health and wellbeing in the workplace, and we see the return in better outcomes in people’s lives. The most effective way to do this is to focus on early interventions – both for mental and physical health issues – and turn the focus to prevention and better health behaviours, and that is key to keeping people in the workplace.

“The government is paying a lot of attention to this area, for instance in the consultation paper issued just last week on 15 July ‘Health is everyone’s business: proposals to reduce ill health-related job loss’** looking at action employers can take in this area. And it’s important that everyone involved in supporting staff – employers, as well as those working in the health and wellbeing industry – has a full understanding of what the government is proposing. This is an opportunity to respond to the consultation paper and shape recommendations.

“There is no doubt that supporting the health and wellbeing of staff, and, in particular, mental wellbeing, has moved up a notch on the workplace agenda. Employers looking for help in how to do this will find a lot of the answers can be found in group risk protection products. The inherent support services that come with them, such as fast-track access to support for musculoskeletal issues, mental health issues, serious illness, etc, significantly extend the reach of the help employers can give to their people, often to enable them to help themselves.”

Responses to the consultation paper need to be submitted by 14 October 2019.

– Ends –

*https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/advancing-our-health-prevention-in-the-2020s/advancing-our-health-prevention-in-the-2020s-consultation-document

**https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/health-is-everyones-business-proposals-to-reduce-ill-health-related-job-loss

For further information please contact:

Sharon Mason 
SMUK Marketing and PR
smason@smuk.org.uk 
Mob: 07747 611773
Land: 01252 843350

Katharine Moxham
Spokesperson for GRiD
Katharine.moxham@grouprisk.org.uk
Mob: 07887 512508

Notes for editors

About GRiD

Group Risk Development (GRiD) is the industry body for the group risk protection sector, promoting the value to UK businesses of providing financial protection for their staff, enhancing their wellbeing and improving employee engagement. Our membership includes insurers, reinsurers and intermediaries who have a collective wealth of experience built over years of operating in the group risk protection market. Under the chairmanship of Steve Bridger (MD Group Protection, Corporate, Aviva UK Insurance) GRiD aims to promote group risk through a collective voice to Government, policymakers, stakeholders and employers.

GRiD works with government departments and regulators involved in legislation and regulation affecting group risk benefits, and with other organisations involved in the benefits and financial protection arenas. GRiD also seeks to enhance the industry’s standing by encouraging best practice and by participating in industry-wide initiatives such as the professional qualification in group risk managed jointly with the Chartered Insurance Institute.

GRiD’s media activity aims to generate a wider awareness and understanding of group risk products and their benefits for employers and employees.

GRiD’s dedicated spokesperson, Katharine Moxham, provides expert media comment on a full range of group risk issues.

www.grouprisk.org.uk

Follow Katharine Moxham on Twitter @KMoxham