The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a crucial intervention to support thousands of workers at risk of job loss due to illness. A new, fully-funded training scheme for line managers in small businesses aims to tackle Britain's escalating sickness crisis head-on.
A Strategic Response to a Growing Crisis
Official statistics paint a stark picture of a nation struggling with ill health. Over 2.8 million people are now classified as long-term sick, placing the UK among the worst-performing nations in the G7. The problem has worsened dramatically since the pandemic, with a Keep Britain Working review revealing an extra 800,000 working-age adults are out of work due to sickness compared to 2019.
In response, the DWP has allocated up to £800,000 to provide free occupational health training for 5,000 line managers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across England. The training programme is scheduled to run from January to March 2026.
Empowering Small Businesses with Vital Skills
This initiative specifically targets smaller firms, which often lack the resources of larger corporations but face severe financial penalties when staff fall ill. Government figures show that replacing an ill employee costs a small business an average of £11,000, while each day of sick leave drains approximately £120 from profits.
DWP Employment Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, emphasised the challenge: "Too often, small businesses lose skilled staff to health issues without the tools to support them – and that doesn't help anyone." She championed the new scheme, stating it gives managers "the confidence to have the right conversations and make the adjustments that could help keep people in work."
The training, to be delivered by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), will equip managers to spot early warning signs like persistent fatigue, behavioural shifts, and rising absence rates. This enables proactive support before problems escalate.
Bridging the Support Gap and Boosting the Economy
A significant divide exists in workplace health support. Currently, only 21% of SMEs offer wellbeing training for managers, compared to 76% of larger employers. Yet, evidence of its effectiveness is clear: among the minority of small firms that do provide such training, 79% report it successfully prevents staff health issues.
Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, welcomed the DWP's move: "We are pleased to see DWP devoting funds to upskilling SMEs... Employee welfare is a priority for small firms, but we know that training courses about it can be put out of reach at a time of rising cost pressures."
The IOSH programme will cover:
- Referrals to occupational health services.
- Support for workers with both physical and mental health conditions.
- Employer duties under the Equality Act 2010, including making reasonable workplace adjustments.
David Tomlinson, Health and Safety Business Partner at the University of Lincoln, who has completed the programme, said: "It's given us greater confidence to help us shape our approach to occupational health and wellbeing at work."
Bosses can pre-register for the training until December 31, with full registration opening on January 2, 2026. Participation is voluntary, with firms opting in based on the perceived benefits for their workforce.
This training forms part of the Government's broader Small Business Plan, which also includes measures like raising the employers' national insurance threshold, cutting energy bills, and making apprenticeship training free for small companies hiring under-25s.
