Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Deferred
Paragraph: 104
Implement research recommendations following the expansion of the SME occupational health subsidy pilot.
Recommendation
There is inadequate access to occupational health services, especially for those working for small businesses. The rise in the number of people who are economically inactive due to long-term health conditions and high rates of economic inactivity among disabled people suggests more needs to be done to support health at work. We support the initiatives introduced in the Spring Budget around occupational health. However, DWP needs to outline a more detailed timeline about when these initiatives will take place. DWP should implement the research recommendations following the expansion of the SME subsidy pilot. We urge the Government to release such findings before the 2022–23 Session is prorogued.
Government Response Summary
The government confirmed the OH SME subsidy pilot is in design with timelines to be confirmed and findings will inform future recommendations, thereby not providing a detailed timeline for initiatives nor committing to releasing findings by the prorogation deadline.
Paragraph Reference:
104
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
On 20 July, the Government launched two consultations, Occupational Health: Working Better which is seeking views on proposals aimed at increasing employer use of Occupational Health (OH) Services and Tax Incentives for Occupational Health, which is aimed at employers, particularly SMEs (small to medium sized enterprises), OH providers, healthcare professionals and non-healthcare professionals. Access to Occupational Health services can play an important role in reducing economic inactivity by supporting disabled people and people with health conditions to stay and succeed in work. We will be analysing the results of both consultations after they close on 12 October 2023 and responses will inform potential policy proposals for increasing access to OH and improving employee health in the workplace. The Government announced in the Spring Budget that it will expand the forthcoming OH SME subsidy pilot to test a small-scale financial incentive and market navigation scheme which will support the uptake of OH services. The SME subsidy pilot is in design, with timelines to be confirmed. Findings will inform future recommendation on whether to roll the scheme out further.