The 15 locations where the new pilot is being trialled will see doctors referring patients to the gym or job coaches rather than signing them off work immediately
Neil James Shaw and Neil Shaw
09:20, 11 Jul 2025
Gym sessions could help with fitness and mental health(Image: Tom Werner via Getty Images)
Doctors across England are being prompted to refer patients for exercise or to employment advisors rather than readily declaring them “not fit for work”, in a new initiative set forth by the government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed to The Times that it’s no longer economically viable for Britain to “keep writing people off”.
This pioneering scheme, currently being tested in 15 sites, will see G#Ps receiving funding to establish dedicated teams tasked with assisting individuals in securing employment. “This pilot marks the end of a broken system that’s been failing patients and holding back our economy for far too long. Right now, we’re issuing 11 million fit notes a year, with 93 per cent simply dismissing people as ‘not fit for work’ – that’s not healthcare, that’s a bureaucratic dead end,” detailed Mr Streeting.
He went on to outline the forthcoming changes: “We’re changing this conversation. Instead of GPs spending precious time rubber-stamping people out of the workforce, we’re supporting providers to bring in specialists – occupational therapists, work coaches, social prescribers – who can actually help people navigate back into employment while managing their health conditions.”
The Times reports that this approach could mean a person suffering from depression may receive support from a job coach to secure flexible working hours or someone dealing with a physical injury might be directed to physiotherapy as an alternative to an exemption from work. This pilot arrives amidst political movements where a proposed benefit reduction for future unemployed claimants was passed in the Commons subsequent to Labour frontbenchers quashing an internal dissent.
The Universal Credit Bill has been approved at the third reading, securing the support of MPs by 336 votes to 242, a majority of 94. The Bill stipulates that the basic universal credit standard allowance will increase at least in line with inflation until the fiscal year 2029/30, reports the Mirror.
Ministers for work and pensions were urged to abandon their universal credit plans at the last minute, following their decision to postpone reforms to the separate personal independence payment benefit and commit to implementing changes only after a review. The Bill is set to undergo additional examination in the House of Lords at a future date.
Research published in January revealed that 67,794 individuals commenced receiving employment advice via the NHS talking therapies programme last year, marking a 62% increase from the preceding 12 months.
This initiative, aimed at facilitating people’s return to employment, connects eligible individuals with employment advisers who can provide assistance with CV writing, interview preparation and goal setting, as well as reasonable workplace adjustments for those living with a disability.
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