Business group says long-term sickness 'blighting' economy

26 Sep 2025

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that long-term sickness is 'blighting' the UK economy and preventing it from growing.

According to the business group, firms want to see 'a major shake-up' of the UK's approach to long-term sickness which is 'excluding people from work and hobbling the economy'.

Currently around 2.8 million people are out of work as a result of long-term illness. The government calculates that the lost economic output due to long-term sickness amounts to a minimum of £130 billion, not including welfare payments.

The BCC is calling for ministers to provide tax breaks for health services that businesses provide for their workforce; reform the fit-note system so it supports both employers and employees to manage sickness and a return to work; and offer support for managers to access mental health and neurodiversity training.

It also has called for the introduction of a wage subsidy scheme to help young people with long-term health conditions to get into work.  

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, commented: 'Whatever the business size, wherever it's based and whatever it does, they tell me they can't find the people with the skills they need or are losing ones they have. 

'Sickness absenteeism is a growing concern. The UK has more than nine million people who aren't working with one third of them suffering from long-term health conditions. 

'This is a devastating loss of potential – for these individuals, the businesses that need them and our local economies.'