Oral QuestionDepartment for Work and Pensions

“What steps he is taking to help support employers to keep people healthy at work.”

Tabled: 20 January 2026Answered: 26 January 2026

Asked by

Nick Smith

Labour — Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Answer from Hansard

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Pat McFadden)

Businesses are a really important partner in supporting workers’ health. This is not an issue just for government. I have seen excellent examples of employers doing this, including when I visited British Airways at Heathrow in November to mark the launch of the final report of the “Keep Britain Working” review. Sir Charlie Mayfield, who wrote that report, made a number of recommendations, including the launch of a vanguard scheme, in which over 100 employers are now taking part. They are playing a leading role in developing best practice when it comes to workplace health and keeping people in work for longer, even if their health declines over time.