[UK] Weekly cost of work-related ill health exceeds £400 million

A new TUC analysis has revealed that work-related ill health is costing the UK economy over £415 million a week.

The analysis of official statistics, published on March 10, shows that the number of days lost due to health conditions – including stress, depression and anxiety – has leapt by a third since 2010. 

From 2023 to 2024 (the latest year for which figures are available) 34 million working days were reportedly lost to work-related ill-health – compared to 22 million in 2010. 

The TUC said the findings – published as the Employment Rights Bill returns to parliament - demonstrate the “urgent importance” of improving the quality of work in the UK. 

From 2022 to 2023 (the latest year for which figures are available) work-related ill-health is estimated to have reduced economic output by £21.6bn. 

According to the TUC, the rise in days lost to work-related ill health has coincided with a huge boom in insecure work. It estimates that over a similar period (2011-2023) the number of people in precarious employment also rocketed by a third to over 4 million. 

A separate report from the Commission for Healthier Working Lives, released on March 10, suggests that poor quality work can harm employee health. 

The report states, “Most health conditions develop outside work, but for a significant number of people, work itself is the cause. Persistent insecurity, workplace discrimination and extreme demands take a serious toll on health. In some cases, poor-quality work is even worse for health than being unemployed.” 

The TUC reportedly said that driving up employment standards will help improve staff wellbeing, health and productivity. It will also ensure that more people with disabilities or health conditions can stay in work.  

The UK government’s Employment Rights Bill returns to parliament this week for its report stage. The Bill will deliver “common-sense reforms” which bring the UK closer to the European mainstream on workers’ rights, the union body said. 

Paul Nowak - TUC general secretary - said, ”Improving the quality of work in Britain is good for workers and our economy.  

“Work-related ill-health is costing us hundreds of millions each week – that's billions of pounds down the drain every year.  

”That’s why the government's Employment Rights Bill is so important. Cracking down on exploitative practices like zero-hours contracts and giving people more security will boost workers’ health, well-being and productivity. It will also help more people stay in work.   

“We need to turn the corner on Britain’s low-rights, low-pay economic model that has been tested to destruction over the last 14 years.  

“Giving working people more control and predictability over their lives will help create a happier, healthier and more robust workforce.” 

Source: TUC

(Quotes via original reporting) 

A new TUC analysis has revealed that work-related ill health is costing the UK economy over £415 million a week.

The analysis of official statistics, published on March 10, shows that the number of days lost due to health conditions – including stress, depression and anxiety – has leapt by a third since 2010. 

From 2023 to 2024 (the latest year for which figures are available) 34 million working days were reportedly lost to work-related ill-health – compared to 22 million in 2010. 

The TUC said the findings – published as the Employment Rights Bill returns to parliament - demonstrate the “urgent importance” of improving the quality of work in the UK. 

From 2022 to 2023 (the latest year for which figures are available) work-related ill-health is estimated to have reduced economic output by £21.6bn. 

According to the TUC, the rise in days lost to work-related ill health has coincided with a huge boom in insecure work. It estimates that over a similar period (2011-2023) the number of people in precarious employment also rocketed by a third to over 4 million. 

A separate report from the Commission for Healthier Working Lives, released on March 10, suggests that poor quality work can harm employee health. 

The report states, “Most health conditions develop outside work, but for a significant number of people, work itself is the cause. Persistent insecurity, workplace discrimination and extreme demands take a serious toll on health. In some cases, poor-quality work is even worse for health than being unemployed.” 

The TUC reportedly said that driving up employment standards will help improve staff wellbeing, health and productivity. It will also ensure that more people with disabilities or health conditions can stay in work.  

The UK government’s Employment Rights Bill returns to parliament this week for its report stage. The Bill will deliver “common-sense reforms” which bring the UK closer to the European mainstream on workers’ rights, the union body said. 

Paul Nowak - TUC general secretary - said, ”Improving the quality of work in Britain is good for workers and our economy.  

“Work-related ill-health is costing us hundreds of millions each week – that's billions of pounds down the drain every year.  

”That’s why the government's Employment Rights Bill is so important. Cracking down on exploitative practices like zero-hours contracts and giving people more security will boost workers’ health, well-being and productivity. It will also help more people stay in work.   

“We need to turn the corner on Britain’s low-rights, low-pay economic model that has been tested to destruction over the last 14 years.  

“Giving working people more control and predictability over their lives will help create a happier, healthier and more robust workforce.” 

Source: TUC

(Quotes via original reporting)