Press release 10 March 2025.
GRiD, the industry body for group risk, comments on The Commission for Healthier Working Lives final report and recommendations on the action needed to address the decline in working-age health.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD says:
“We’ve all seen that there are record numbers of working-age people in the UK who are not working because of ill-health. The independent Commission for Healthier Working Lives was established by the Health Foundation ‘to build a consensus for the action needed by government and employers to meet the UK’s working-age health challenge’. The Commission’s final report, “Action for healthier working lives” sets out the need for a new approach to work and health, outlining a number of recommendations ‘to lay the foundation for sustained long-term change’.
“There are a lot of positives to take from the report; in particular, we see this as a welcome contribution in highlighting what it is that employers need to do to improve workplace health, recognising best practice and an endorsement of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) model that insurers use as standard alongside Group Income Protection (GIP). This recognition is welcome in shifting the debate towards how more of the working population could gain access to the back-to-work help that GIP provides through VR, and how best to fill gaps in employer support for people when they find themselves unable to work for an extended period for reasons of ill-health.
“We’re particularly encouraged by the report’s recognition of the bigger role insurance could play, and that Government should play a convening role on identifying and promoting best practice in workplace health. The group risk protection industry is ready, willing and able to support on this.”
- Ends –
For further information please contact:
Sharon Mason
SMUK Marketing and PR
Mob: 07747 611773
Land: 01252 843350
smason@smuk.org.uk
Katharine Moxham
Spokesperson for GRiD
Mob: 07887 512508
Katharine.moxham@grouprisk.org.uk
Notes for editors
About GRiD
Group Risk Development (GRiD) is the industry body for the group risk sector, promoting the value to UK businesses of providing financial protection for their staff, enhancing their well-being and improving employee engagement. Our membership includes insurers, reinsurers, intermediaries and those operating in (or with other interests in) the UK group risk market. Together this forms a collective wealth of experience built over many years. Under the chairmanship of Colin Fitzgerald (Distribution Director – Group Protection, L&G Retail) 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.
Follow Katharine Moxham on Twitter @KMoxham
