Former John Lewis Boss Declares War on ‘Sick Note Britain’
Sir Charlie Mayfield, the former Chairman of John Lewis, is demanding urgent government and employer action to reverse the UK’s alarming rise in economic inactivity due to sickness and disability. His landmark report, ‘Keep Britain Working’, warns that a growing ‘sick note culture’ threatens to derail economic growth and burden the welfare system.
Key Takeaways
- Over 9 million people are now economically inactive, with 800,000 more leaving work due to sickness since the pandemic.
- Young people (16-34) are the worst affected, with a 77% surge in work-limiting health conditions.
- Mental health issues are a primary driver, cited by 530,000 young people.
- Disability benefits are projected to add £25 billion to welfare spending by 2030.
A National Crisis in the Making
The report, backed by major employers like PwC, Tesco, and the John Lewis Partnership, highlights a perfect storm of lost productivity and soaring benefit costs. Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a multi-billion-pound budget black hole exacerbated by this trend. If unchecked, another 600,000 people could leave the workforce in the next four years.
The Youth Mental Health Epidemic
The most dramatic increase is among young adults, where work-limiting health conditions have risen by 1.2 million—a 77% jump. Over half a million young people cite mental health as their main condition. The report points to long NHS waiting lists for mental health support and identifies social media and the pandemic as potential contributing factors.
Proposed Solutions and Employer Role
Sir Charlie Mayfield argues that fulfilling work is beneficial for health, combating isolation and boosting self-esteem. His recommendations focus on employer best practices, including better protocols for staying in touch with staff on sick leave to prevent them from becoming permanently disconnected from the workplace.
RUTH SUNDERLAND: It’s a national tragedy Sir Charlie Mayfield will do a public service this week by spelling out the sheer scale of the problem the UK has with sickness and disability among working age people.The rapid rise in the number of youngsters whose careers are being hampered by mental health issues is a national tragedy in the making.Employers can play a big part in stopping this sick note culture that harms everyone.Enlightened companies help staff through periods of ill-health and support employees with disabilities. But payroll bills are soaring, due to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ ill-judged increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage.If the Government is serious about Keeping Britain Working, the Chancellor should stop slapping taxes on jobs.
The call to action is clear: without coordinated effort, the UK risks a permanent shrinkage of its workforce with severe consequences for individuals and the economy.
