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Ill health 'costs economy £100bn' Ill health 'costs economy £100bn'
(about 1 hour later)
Ill health costs the British economy over £100bn a year - the same as the cost of running the NHS for a year, a report is set to say.Ill health costs the British economy over £100bn a year - the same as the cost of running the NHS for a year, a report is set to say.
The calculation will appear in an analysis by Dame Carol Black, national director for health and work.The calculation will appear in an analysis by Dame Carol Black, national director for health and work.
She has been looking at ways of helping people who are sick get back to work.She has been looking at ways of helping people who are sick get back to work.
Measures in the report are set to include replacing sick notes with "well-notes", which Health Secretary Alan Johnson trailed last month.Measures in the report are set to include replacing sick notes with "well-notes", which Health Secretary Alan Johnson trailed last month.
Dame Carol's report will say the total cost of ill-health to the British economy is around £103bn.Dame Carol's report will say the total cost of ill-health to the British economy is around £103bn.
The bulk of that - £63bn - is made of the benefit costs and lost taxes for people who are not working due to illness or disability.The bulk of that - £63bn - is made of the benefit costs and lost taxes for people who are not working due to illness or disability.
We know that staying in or returning to work is generally good for patient's health, whereas unemployment is progressively damaging Alan JohnsonHealth secretary
The rest of the bill is made up the cost of the care given by family and friends, the cost to an employer of having someone absent from work and other additional costs.The rest of the bill is made up the cost of the care given by family and friends, the cost to an employer of having someone absent from work and other additional costs.
Dame Carol has already said she believes whole sections of society have "drifted" into a benefits culture, with generations of the same family never working.Dame Carol has already said she believes whole sections of society have "drifted" into a benefits culture, with generations of the same family never working.
Well notes
Her wide-ranging report will cover how to keep people of working age healthy, and how to get those who are off work through ill-health back into employment.Her wide-ranging report will cover how to keep people of working age healthy, and how to get those who are off work through ill-health back into employment.
It will also look at how employers can help keep staff well.It will also look at how employers can help keep staff well.
Well notes
Well notes set out what tasks a worker can perform instead of certificates automatically signing someone off.Well notes set out what tasks a worker can perform instead of certificates automatically signing someone off.
Sick notes are given to those with short-term health problems, but ministers are concerned people can then "drift" into claiming incapacity benefit.Sick notes are given to those with short-term health problems, but ministers are concerned people can then "drift" into claiming incapacity benefit.
Both of the main political parties are keen to significantly reduce the number of claimants.Both of the main political parties are keen to significantly reduce the number of claimants.
The proposed change is not backed by doctors, who say it is asking them to "police the system".The proposed change is not backed by doctors, who say it is asking them to "police the system".
GPs are also likely to be expected to offer patients advice about what they can do to get fit for work.GPs are also likely to be expected to offer patients advice about what they can do to get fit for work.
James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said working could make a "real difference" to people's health and quality of life.
Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, said: "We know that staying in or returning to work is generally good for patient's health, whereas unemployment is progressively damaging."
Being unemployed could lead to problems such as more sickness, mental illness, disability, increased use of medication, higher hospital admission rates and shorter life expectancy, he added.