Following the Spring Statement, Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD comments: “Cuts impact those who are vulnerable in our society, and workers with health conditions or disabilities need support now more than ever. In many cases, employees wouldn’t leave the workforce if they were better supported by their employer.

“It’s vital to consider how so many people have fallen out of work due to illness or disability in the first place and seek to stem that flow. Employers’ responsibilities are increasing – especially in light of welfare cuts reaffirmed in the Spring Statement today – and employers have a huge role to play here, being well-placed to help keep people in work and get them back to work.

“Employers will find help and support within their employee benefits package for those whose ill-health or disability presents a barrier to work. For example, group income protection insurance includes access to help from vocational rehabilitation experts, access to advice and support with both short- and long-term health conditions, and making reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, as well as meeting the costs of any long-term sick pay. An insurer might even help with the extra costs of keeping someone in work – such as providing or modifying equipment – on an ex-gratia basis.

“Every year, more and more employers offer their workforces these benefits, and in light of the Spring Statement today, we would expect this trend to continue. Those employers that don’t look after their staff will miss out.”