Businesses are begging the Labour Government to “keep Britain working” as the economy is losing £85billion in productivity a year, according to a new review.

A collaboration between Government and more than 60 prominent businesses aims to address the escalating health crisis forcing workers from employment. The initiative responds to Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review findings.

Since 2019, health-related issues have driven 800,000 additional people from the workforce. This exodus represents an economic burden equivalent to seven per cent of Britain’s GDP, matching nearly 70 per cent of total income tax revenue.

To address this, employer-led Vanguards, featuring major corporations and smaller businesses working alongside the Government, will create and test workplace health strategies during a three-year period, establishing evidence-based practices for wider implementation.

Participating Vanguards encompass well-known brands including British Airways, Google, Sainsbury’s and Holland and Barrett. Mayoral Combined Authorities and smaller enterprises have also committed to the programme.

These early adopters pledge to implement the review’s healthy working lifecycle framework. The approach targets reduced sick leave, enhanced return-to-work outcomes and improved disability employment figures.

The Government plans to transform these workplace health strategies into a voluntary certification scheme by 2029.

This forms part of broader efforts to equip businesses with capable workforces, backed by a commitment to invest £1billion yearly in disability employment assistance by the decade’s end.

Mr Mayfield emphasised businesses’ distinctive position to create positive change through prevention, assistance during health challenges, and facilitating workplace returns.

He added: “If we keep Britain working, everyone wins – people, employers, and the state.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden praised Mayfield’s contributions, noting: “His message is crystal clear: keeping people healthy and in work is the right thing to do and is essential for economic growth.”

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle added: “Many more people could remain in work if they receive the right support—and that’s exactly what today’s action is about.

“That’s why ‘Keep Britain Working’ is bringing together the expertise of leading UK businesses to help prevent ill health at work wherever possible, and to support those affected stay in work.

“We believe that when people are treated with dignity and care, businesses flourish. Through our Plan to Make Work Pay, we’re committed to raising standards so that everyone can share in the benefits of a stronger economy and enjoy a better quality of life.”

John Foster, Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer at the CBI, said: “Businesses recognise the urgent need to deliver a positive step-change in how government and firms work together to support people experiencing health-related barriers to work.

“Today’s report represents a significant milestone in that journey and will be welcomed across the business community.The review reveals that merely one in five working-age adults remain outside the labour market. Britain’s disability employment rate sits at 53 per cent trailing leading OECD countries.”

Catherine Foot, the director of the Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement, welcomed the review’s publication.

She highlighted that more than 8.7 million UK residents face work-limiting health conditions, with those aged 50-64 experiencing an increase of 900,000 since 2015.

Ms Foot stressed that supporting older workers benefits both national economic growth and personal financial stability. She noted: “Promoting longer, healthier working lives in all age groups is good for the economy, businesses and workers.”