Commission Report Urges State Vocational Rehabilitation and Corporate Transparency for Healthier Working Lives

Commission Report Urges State Vocational Rehabilitation and Corporate Transparency for Healthier Working Lives

(IN BRIEF) The final report from the Commission for Healthier Working Lives, set up by the Health Foundation, has been released after a nine-month study. Aviva was actively involved in the process, providing evidence on maintaining employee health and facilitating their return to work. The report recommends that the Government implement a state vocational rehabilitation benefit and reform the universal credit system to address shortcomings in state support. It also highlights the potential for group income protection to expand access to vocational rehabilitation. Jason Ellis of Aviva Group Protection praised the report for its timely recommendations, urging greater transparency from large employers and the establishment of a national Health at Work standard for smaller employers, in line with Aviva’s longstanding policy recommendations.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 20-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The Commission for Healthier Working Lives, established by the Health Foundation, has published its final report after a comprehensive nine-month investigation. Throughout the study, Aviva played an active role by engaging with the commission and providing valuable evidence on strategies to maintain employee health and support their return to work.

The report puts forward several recommendations aimed at bridging critical gaps in state provision. Among its bold proposals is the introduction of a state vocational rehabilitation benefit and significant reforms to the universal credit system. This move, suggested at a time when government spending is under intense scrutiny, is seen as a necessary step to support workers who face long-term health challenges. Additionally, the report emphasizes the pivotal role that group income protection can play in broadening employers’ access to vocational rehabilitation services.

Jason Ellis, Sales and Distribution Director at Aviva Group Protection, welcomed the report’s findings. “There are a lot of positives to take from this report. The recommendations are not only welcome but also timely as the Government undertakes its Keep Britain Working Review. We believe that large employers should be transparent about their workplace health offer, and that smaller employers need a national Health at Work standard and better access to guidance on best practices,” he explained. Ellis further highlighted that the report endorses the Vocational Rehabilitation model used by insurers in tandem with Group Income Protection, and he urged the Government to take a convening role in identifying and promoting exemplary workplace health practices. “This has been a key Aviva policy recommendation, so it is positive to see the Health Foundation advocate for greater corporate transparency,” he added.