Seventy per cent of employers believe there is a lack of state support for the health and well-being of the UK’s workers, according to new research from GRiD, the industry body for the group risk sector. This represents an increase over the past 12 months, up from 63% of employers who held the same view in 2025.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, said: “Constraints on public sector funding have not eased over the past 12 months, and this is reflected in the growing number of employers who are concerned about the level of state support available for their people, and the impact it has on them. As a result, many employers will feel the impact as more employees are affected.”
Lack of mental health support
Employers identified mental health support as the area where the lack of state provision is felt most, with 43% saying this affects them and their colleagues. Concerns also extend to lack of access to financial support for staff if they are unable to work due to sickness or injury, cited by 39% of employers, as well as lack of access to preventative care (38%), and support for physical health (35%).
Employees themselves echo these concerns, with nearly a third (29%) saying that pressure on the NHS means they are increasingly reliant on their employer to provide mental health support, such as access to counselling.
Katharine Moxham continued: “With the Government facing significant budgetary challenges, employers increasingly carry greater responsibility for supporting their people. In light of this, health and wellbeing benefits need to deliver more value than ever. Employers that use benefits to bridge gaps in state provision are more likely to maintain a healthier workforce, minimise absence and sustain productivity.”
Timely access to support
Many employee benefits, including group risk (employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection and critical illness) provide tangible support when individuals are struggling to access care elsewhere. This can prove crucial since timely intervention is key for best outcomes. Delays in accessing state provision can allow issues to escalate, across all areas of health and wellbeing.
Katharine Moxham said: “How organisations respond to the lack of state support is within their control. By offering the right support, employers can influence how quickly people access help, and this can directly influence how quickly they return to work. This is not just about businesses doing the right thing by their people, but also about safeguarding the long-term resilience of their organisation.”
