Keep Britain Working: what the report means for income protection and advisers
The Keep Britain Working report lands at a moment when the UK can no longer ignore the scale of working age people leaving the workforce due to ill health. It is not just a public policy issue. It is a household resilience issue, a workplace issue, and a protection advice issue, too.
In the final episode of Season 2 of Let’s Talk Income Protection, Matt Chapman is joined by three expert voices to unpack what the report is really saying, and what needs to happen next: Dr Julie Denning (Working to Wellbeing and Chair of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association), Monica Garcia (MT Consulting and Trustee of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association), and Roy McLoughlin (Protection Distributors Group).
The headline problem: rising economic inactivity
One of the most striking points in the discussion is that the trend is moving in the wrong direction, with a growing number of people becoming economically inactive due to ill health. The report argues this is not inevitable, and that other countries are keeping people connected to work more effectively. The big shift is moving from a reactive, fragmented system to one built around early support, consistent standards, and better coordination between health and employment.
A key theme from the guests is that we cannot improve what we cannot measure. The report highlights the need to address data gaps, including the role of better workplace health insight so interventions are evidence-based and outcomes can be tracked.
Why income protection belongs in the solution
The conversation makes a strong case that modern income protection is no longer just a cheque in the post. When used properly, it can support a “stay in work” mindset through:
- Early intervention and support services, often before a claim ever materialises
- Vocational rehabilitation, helping people recover, adjust, and return to meaningful work
- Workplace adjustments and stakeholder coordination, particularly where the workplace is contributing to the problem
- Proportional benefits, which can make alternative or reduced work viable rather than “all or nothing”
In short, better outcomes are often created when support starts early, and when customers, employers, and advisers understand what help is available.
What advisers can do next
The episode is refreshingly practical. Here are the actions emphasised throughout:
- Read the Keep Britain Working report and use its statistics to challenge optimism bias
- Get confident explaining early intervention and vocational rehabilitation in plain English
- Ask clients to verify their sick pay arrangements, properly, not assumptions
- Use case studies to make the support real and relatable
- Build touchpoints such as annual statements or review check-ins so clients remember what their policy can do
- Encourage clients to tell you early if health issues may impact work, rather than waiting for a crisis
If you work in protection, this episode is a timely reminder that income protection is not just a product, it is part of a wider resilience solution.
To learn more, listen to the podcast episode here
You can also read the full Keep Britain Working Report here
