Tesco Moves to Partner with Government on Keeping Disabled and Unwell Britons in Work

Tesco is reportedly in advanced talks to join a significant government-backed initiative aimed at curbing the rise in economic inactivity among Britons with health conditions and disabilities. The prospective partnership would see the supermarket giant collaborating closely with the Department for Work and Pensions as part of a flagship trailblazer group that seeks to prevent workers from falling into long term inactivity. This move comes as Labour looks for robust private sector allies to address stubborn post-pandemic joblessness.

Sir Charlie Mayfield, the government’s worklessness tsar and former John Lewis boss, is spearheading an independent review into how employers can better support staff before health struggles translate into extended absences. Under the plan, companies are expected to provide earlier interventions for employees at risk of dropping out due to physical or mental health challenges. Mayfield’s recommendations will likely feature the introduction of workplace practitioners who, while not medically qualified, will serve as vital liaisons between companies and general practitioners, offering targeted support before issues escalate into long term leave.

Fresh NHS figures underline the urgency of reform, with over 27000 people signed off for between five and twelve weeks last December alone due to mental and behavioural issues. Failure to reverse this trend comes at a mounting cost, both to employers and the Exchequer—with projections indicating the annual bill for health and disability benefits could hit £100 billion by the close of the decade.

Mayfield’s review is anticipated to encourage greater intelligence sharing between employers and policymakers, ensuring early warning signs inform nimble responses. A new code of best practice is also expected, providing clear guidance for businesses of all sizes on how to support employees facing health and disability issues without imposing excessive burden on smaller firms.

Tesco, one of the UK’s largest private employers with more than 330000 staff, would mark a considerable win for government efforts if its backing is secured. Senior executives at Tesco have sounded the alarm over the mounting tax pressure on retailers, cautioning against further increases in the upcoming Budget, and sector leaders are alert to changes with Labour’s planned overhaul of workers’ rights.

No formal agreement has been struck between Tesco and the government, and details are likely to hinge on the ultimate recommendations of Mayfield’s review, which is set for release in the coming weeks. A government spokesperson reiterated the goal of shifting focus from welfare to work, skills, and opportunity, signalling a willingness to consider the review’s findings in shaping the future of Britain’s workplaces.