Chamber News
UK ministers consider worker health checks to tackle labour shortages
7 March 2023 • Sarah Medcraf
UK Government Ministers are looking at bringing in annual health checks for workers and allowing more hospitality staff to come from abroad in an effort to deal with labour shortages.
The plans could involve giving companies subsidies for occupational health services to prevent workers going off long-term sick, as part of the government’s review of the workforce to be unveiled alongside the budget this month.
Ministers have also asked the Migration Advisory Committee for advice on whether the hospitality, construction and retail industries should be on the list of sectors where there is a shortage of workers, helping them to recruit from overseas.
It is thought hospitality workers are the most likely to be put on the list, which makes it easier for staff to get jobs from abroad.
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ordered the workforce review amid concerns the economy is being held back by shortages of workers that have emerged since the pandemic and Brexit.