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Richard Jones CFIOSH comments on the occupational health (OH) aspects of the Chancellors first budget statement.
Notably, this week’s UK Spring Budget highlighted the need to better support workers, through improved access to flexible working and OH services. This now needs to be translated into urgent and lasting action through adequate investment, training and regulation.
OSH professionals have long-called for more worker-friendly, supportive and flexible workplaces, with sufficient access to training and OH services (see IOSH magazine's ‘Priorities for Progress’, 2020).
So, the government pledges to encourage employers to support returnees and worker-retention, to help more businesses provide OH services, and to expand its forthcoming pilot subsidy scheme for SMEs, are all welcome. As too are promises to embed tailored employment support within mental health and musculoskeletal services in England, together with piloting a new WorkWell programme to support those with health conditions both into work and at work.
Important commitments include consulting on how to increase OH provision, including through regulations requiring employers to provide OH services (with ‘kite marking’ and professional accreditation for quality assurance), together with tax incentives; and a long-term workforce plan to consider the supply of OH professionals. These key issues have repeatedly been raised for attention by the OH / OSH community and others, and should be prioritised.
On flexibility, the government has stated its support for Bills providing a ‘day-one right’ to request flexible working; the right to request a contract with more predictable hours; and for workers who are unpaid carers, to have additional leave. It will also run a call for evidence on informal flexible working in Summer 2023. Again, OSH professionals have consistently advocated for flexibility that provides safe, healthy and supportive work and prompt and effective regulatory action is needed.
Stakeholders will be keen to participate in these OH-related consultations and to see progress on regulation that improves rights on flexibility, predictability and additional leave for unpaid carers, so that we can ensure decent work for all and healthy extended working lives.
Richard is former head of policy at IOSH
Extracts from UK Spring Budget 2023 (HC1138)
4.156 Occupational Health SME Subsidy Pilot
The government will expand a subsidy pilot scheme to support small and medium-sized businesses in England with the cost of purchasing occupational health services.
4.157 Consultation on increasing occupational health coverage
The government will consult on increasing occupational health provision by UK employers, including regulatory options, boosting the supply of occupational health professionals, and kite-marking to indicate the quality of occupational health provision.
4.158 Consultation on occupational health tax incentives
The government will consult on options to increase investment in occupational health services by UK-wide employers through the tax system.
4.159 Strengthening employment rights
The government is supporting Private Members Bills that provide a day one right to request flexible working and grant specific groups protections or leave entitlements, including enhanced redundancy protection for pregnancy, family leave, carer’s leave, and neonatal care leave. In addition, the government is supporting bills to ensure that all tips go to staff and providing workers with the right to request a contract with more predictable hours.
4.160 Call for Evidence on informal Flexible working
The government will bring forward a call for evidence to launch in Summer 2023 on informal and ad hoc flexible working to better understand informal agreements on flexible working between employees and employers.
