Tackling UK’s long term sickness will improve NHS productivity, analysis finds

A “whole of government” approach to tackling long term sickness and economic inactivity could return as many as 600 000 people to the UK workforce within five years, say analysts.

They estimate that this could deliver a £109bn-£177bn boost to the UK’s GDP—equal to 2-3% in 2029—and could “unlock” £35bn-£57bn in fiscal revenue by then.

In a report published on 10 September1 the NHS Confederation and the Boston Consulting Group Centre for Growth said that a common purpose and improved coordination between government departments was required, with better use of funds and resources to maximise economic and social benefits from health investment.

Matthew Taylor, the NHS Confederation’s chief …