The spread of ‘fat jabs’ such as Ozempic could lead to a rise in the state pension age because previously obese workers will live longer than expected, Government advisers have warned.
With more than 1.5 million people now using weight-loss drugs in the UK, the number-crunchers say that actuarial calculations about life expectancy – and therefore the bill faced by the Department for Work and Pensions – will have to be adjusted.
Users of the drugs, which also include Mounjaro and Wegovy, typically lose about 15 per cent of their body weight, leading to knock-on health benefits such as lower cholesterol levels and reduced blood pressure.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting aims to widen the availability of the drugs on the NHS to lessen the burden on the Health Service and boost employment, arguing that ‘our widening waistbands’ are ‘holding back our economy’.
Illness as a result of obesity causes people to take an extra four sick days a year on average.
But a Government source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Obviously everyone can see the health benefits. But some people in the Treasury are worried about the impact on the pension crisis. Obesity is a big killer.
‘And if people are starting to live a lot longer because they’re not overweight that’s quickly going to become an issue. Especially if we’re going to see it regularly being prescribed on the NHS, as Wes is advocating.’
The NHS currently offers the medicines for the management of obesity in certain patients.
The spread of ‘fat jabs’ such as Ozempic could lead to a rise in the state pension age because previously obese workers will live longer than expected, Government advisers have warned (file image)
With more than 1.5 million people now using weight-loss drugs in the UK, the number-crunchers say that actuarial calculations about life expectancy – and therefore the bill faced by the Department for Work and Pensions – will have to be adjusted (file image)
Health Secretary Wes Streeting aims to widen the availability of the drugs on the NHS to lessen the burden on the Health Service and boost employment, arguing that ‘our widening waistbands’ are ‘holding back our economy’
The state pension age will officially rise next year from 66 to 67, and then again to 68 between 2044 and 2046 – although growing pressure on public funds means an upcoming pension review by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall could hike that age further.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing a £50billion ‘fiscal hole’ in the public finances she will need to close in Autumn’s Budget: measures considered include tighter inheritance tax rules and an increase in ‘sin taxes’ on tobacco and gambling.
The triple lock protection for the state pension is also becoming a growing burden, with spiking inflation predicted to push the full amount to £12,451 next year – a £478 rise from its current level of £11,973.
According to the forecasts, the state pension will cost the Exchequer £151.42 billion that year – £430 million higher than the £150.99 billion bill anticipated as a result of previous Bank Of England inflation forecasts.
Mr Streeting hopes the weight-loss jabs will ease the burden on the NHS’ budget, which will rise by 3.3 per cent next year to £192 billion.
