Despite the growing focus on economic inactivity and workplace health, new adviser research from Reframe Cancer suggests most UK firms are yet to engage clients on one of the government’s most significant recent reviews. While the Mayfield Review places early intervention firmly at the centre of helping people return to work, just 25% of adviser firms are currently discussing its recommendations with clients.
Roy McLoughlin, a member of the Protection Distributors Group, warns that this lack of engagement is concerning and argues that advisers, insurers and employers should already be using this time to raise awareness and education around early intervention support.
“The Mayfield Review and its recommendations are hugely important; adviser firms should be talking to their clients about it regularly. If only one in four are currently doing that, I’d say that is concerning. Regardless of the three-year Vanguard Phase, this government-backed report has put early intervention services forward as a key point to get people back into work. That isn’t going to change, so the conversations around this should be happening now. People also need to be aware that there are early intervention services available; many may not know what they are or how they can help, so employers, insurers and advisers can use this time to invest and educate.
The number of economically inactive people in the UK is staggeringly high, and many of these people can be helped back to work through third-party support. They can be a lifeline and be the difference between people never working again and becoming a member of the workforce. We also mustn’t forget the self-employed as well. They won’t have any HR advice or support, for example, so they need to work out what their own early intervention services are and what they need. This is where annual benefits statements from insurers and advisers can be really helpful in reminding people what benefits they have available to them.”
