James Purnell MP, Labour’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, along with Alan Johnson MP, Labour’s Health Secretary, have welcomed a report from Dame Carol Black on health and the working-age population.

The report recognised that for most people work is good both for their long-term health and for their family’s well-being.

Proposals focused on keeping people healthy at work and also helping them return to work if they get ill.

James Purnell said: “The evidence shows that work isn’t just good for putting money in your pocket but can make a real difference to your health and quality of life.

“Today’s report marks a radical shift in our approach to dealing with health in the work place – focussing on prevention rather than cure.

“For the first time in a generation we are seeing the numbers of people claiming incapacity benefit start to fall, after trebling under the Tories.

“Labour is going further through our innovative Pathways to work programme and the introduction of the new Employment Support Allowance to help many more move off benefits and back into work. This report sets out some important recommendations for how we can continue with our reforms.”

Alan Johnson added: “We know that staying in or returning to work is generally good for patient’s health whereas unemployment is progressively damaging, leading to more sickness, mental illness, disability, increased use of medication, higher hospital admission rates and shorter life expectancy. Suicide rates are 35 times higher among the long-term unemployed than among those in employment.

“Dame Carol Black’s report recognises that early intervention is crucial for people with health conditions. We will be looking at the best way to explore Dame Carol’s suggestion of a ‘Fit for Work’ service for people in the early stages of sickness absence. Any such pilot will be evaluated to assess the benefits to individuals and businesses and the level of potential savings which could support the costs.”