Statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries released today by the Health and Safety Executive show that two million workers in Great Britain reported suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23.

The figures reveal that 1.8 million workers reported they were suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23, with approximately half of the cases down to stress, depression or anxiety.

In the recent years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of self-reported work-related ill health had been broadly flat, but the current rate is higher than 2018/19.

There were an estimated 875,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2022/23. The current rate of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety is higher than the pre-pandemic level.

An estimated 35.2 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to self-reported work-related ill health or injury.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has experienced significant budget cuts over the last decade, with 2020-2021 43 per cent down on 2009-2010, and staff cut by 35 per cent since 2010[1].

Karen McDonnell, RoSPA’s OSH Policy Advisor, expressed concern over the data and said that the HSE need more resource to deal with emerging threats like the worsening mental health crisis:

“We are concerned that the tremendous progress made in UK workplace safety has stalled, with statistics showing we’re reducing fatal injuries at almost half the rate we were between 1990 and 2010[2].

“Any loss of life in the workplace is a tragedy, and while Britain is one of the safest countries in the world to work, it’s deeply concerning that people are still having the same accidents that their parents or grandparents had.
 
“Unfortunately, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has experienced significant budget cuts over the last decade, which could feasibly lead to an inability to deliver advisory and regulatory functions and justice for victims.

“We therefore ask the question, if we can’t stop old accidents happening to new people with the resource we have, how can we expect the HSE to effectively tackle emerging risks, such as the growth of the gig economy, worsening mental health and the move towards net zero?

“We urge the Government to address the ticking timebomb of workplace injury and ill-health by raising its investment in the HSE so it can effectively protect lives, livelihoods, and Britain’s businesses. Only then can the UK retain its status as a beacon of health and safety.”