British Safety Council is calling on the Chancellor to make worker wellbeing a central focus of the forthcoming Autumn Budget on 26 November, stressing that healthier, happier and more productive workers are essential to the Government’s mission for growth.

In an open letter to Rachel Reeves from the Chief Executive and Chairman of British Safety Council, they welcome the Government’s commitment to improving worker protections through the landmark Employment Rights Bill but urge Ministers to go further to realise the productivity and profitability benefits that improved workplace wellbeing can bring.

“The economic case is compelling,” says the letter. “Healthier and happier workers are more productive, boosting profitability and driving economic growth on a local, regional and national level. Additionally, we know that healthier and happier workers are more risk-aware so are likely to have fewer accidents, helping to reduce the number of workplace injuries and fatalities. In turn, this reduces the economic, social and personal costs associated with work-related sickness, ill health and fatalities.”

British Safety Council emphasises that supporting and incentivising employers to invest in workplace wellbeing would deliver benefits at local, regional and national levels, strengthening both economic resilience, improving productivity and boosting public health.

Renewing its calls on Government, British Safety Council urges the Treasury to:

• Incentivise investment in new and emerging technologies that improve workplace safety, including artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
• Encourage and reward employers who invest in training beyond statutory minimums.
• Embed wellbeing at the heart of economic policy to help workers, workplaces and the wider economy thrive.

“In 2024, we published our Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manifesto, setting out seven ambitious recommendations to increase productivity through improved occupational health and safety,” the letter continues. “The UK has long been a global leader in occupational health and safety, and we now look to the Government and the Treasury to make the UK a wellbeing leader of today and tomorrow.”

These calls follow new YouGov research commissioned by the British Safety Council, which found strong support from both employers and employees for greater Government action to promote workplace wellbeing. Popular policy options included introducing new tax incentives, offering financial subsidies, and establishing a statutory definition of workplace wellbeing.

British Safety Council reiterated its commitment to working with the Government through this Parliament and beyond to help build a productive, sustainable economy underpinned by a thriving workforce.

To read the letter in full, click here: BSC Letter to the Chancellor 2025.pdf