United Kingdom: employers commit to improving health outcomes

The Confederation of British Industry, the UK business organisation, announced the creation of the CBI Health Council on 18 March. Made up of around 30 leaders from across industry and academia – including representatives of Danone UK and Ireland, John Lewis, AstraZeneca and Pfizer – this council will have the task of establishing ongoing collaboration with the government on health issues, as well as setting health targets for employers. The move comes after the CBI identified health as a key pillar for boosting the economy and productivity, as part of its Seize the Moment 2030 vision (see article n°12541). “With a significant proportion of our time spent in the workplace, employers have a duty to support their employees to maintain and improve their physical and mental health,” the CBI writes in an article published on its website. Employers will now strive to “define what’s now needed from all actors to deliver on both a moral and economic imperative – building a healthier nation”. According to Jordan Cummins, CBI Health Director, the Health Council, which will initially build on the habits of cooperation with authorities established during the pandemic, will enable the setting of “tangible targets for firms to do more”. “It will lead business on a journey to improve their health offer and employee value proposition, and help policymakers fully understand the value of health as an investment, not just a cost,” he adds.