BRITAIN’S sick note system is facing an overhaul as ministers move to tackle the £212billion-a-year cost of people signed off work.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said there is a “case for some change” amid fears too many people are declared unfit for work too easily.
On a visit to British Airways’ Heathrow hub, Mr McFadden said the Government will see if health workers other than doctors could issue sick notes.
BA is one of more than 60 big employers joining “Vanguard” schemes, which will trial early support, better rehabilitation, and quicker returns to work over the next three years.
The schemes aim to cut welfare costs by preventing short-term absences turning into long-term claims.
A government-backed review warned 93 per cent of sick notes rule people completely out of work.
This creates what Sir Charlie Mayfield called a ‘firewall’ between bosses and staff.
The Keep Britain Working report found one in five working-age adults is out of the labour force with ill health — 800,000 more since 2019 — costing seven per cent of GDP.
Sir Charlie said GPs are being asked “to do two things” – assess health and decide if someone can work – which he said is “very difficult in a ten-minute consultation.”
During a visit to British Airways’ Heathrow hub, Mr McFadden said the government will test whether other “different practitioners” – not just doctors – could issue fit notes.
He hailed BA’s new use of technology to reduce heavy lifting and back injuries as “welfare reform in action”.
Sir Charlie said: “Britain is sliding into an economic inactivity crisis that threatens growth, prosperity and the future of public services.”
