The Mayfield review suggest that Britain is facing a quiet but urgent crisis. Over one in five working-age adults are out of the workforce, substantially because of health problems. Mental ill-health among young people is rising sharply. Older workers are leaving too early. Disabled people remain locked out of work at twice the rate of nondisabled people. The impact touches everyone. For individuals, leaving work can mean a lifetime of lost income, poorer health, and missed opportunities.
For employers, sickness and staff turnover bring disruption, cost and lost experience. For the country, it means weaker growth, higher welfare spending and greater pressure on the NHS. But this is far from inevitable. Other countries do much better. We can too. With the right approach, many more people could stay in work, recover faster, and live healthier, more secure lives. Employers would retain experienced staff and see higher productivity. Government would save billions and be able to focus resources on those who need them most. Everyone gains if we can keep Britain working. The review sets out a plan of action for getting the inactive back into work.