mayfield review

The Mayfield Review

The Mayfield Review is a landmark government commissioned review by former John Lewis boss Sir Charlie Mayfield for DWP, that examines the factors behind spiralling levels of economic inactivity due to ill health, and how government and businesses can work together to tackle the issue.

Keep Britain Working

The Keep Britain Working Review launched on 20th March 2025 , highlighting that nearly 1 in 4 people out of work due to ill health are under 35, underlining the urgent need for government employment and welfare reforms.

The final Mayfield Review report, published in November 2025, is also known as the ‘Keep Britain Working Final Report’ which presents the full findings and recommendations.

The £212 Billion Cost of Economic Inactivity Due to Ill health

The Charlie Mayfield Review shows a stark reality: economic inactivity due to ill health now costs the UK economy £212 billion annually… that’s 7% of GDP, nearly 70% of all income tax receipts. With 800,000 more working-age adults out of the labour force since 2019 due to health reasons, the Mayfield Review report calls for a fundamental partnership between employers, government and workers to prevent ill-health, support people to stay in work, and help those with disabilities and health conditions thrive in employment.
Published in November 2025,  the landmark Review sets out the crisis facing the UK:
• UK employment among disabled people stands at 53%, below leading OECD nations
• Employers lose £85 billion a year from sickness, turnover, and lost productivity

Mayfield and Milburn Reviews

The Mayfield Review recommendations sit alongside the Milburn Review on NEETs and youth opportunity, forming part of the government’s broader Plan for Change to tackle economic inactivity and boost growth.

The Mayfield review on Economic Inactivity, the Milburn Review on NEETs and the Timms review on PiP and benefits are all interconnected in the Government’s Welfare Reform plans.

Vanguard Organisations

Sir Charlie Mayfield’s report introduces the concept of employer-led “Vanguards” are organisations including British Airways, Google, Sainsbury’s and Mayoral Combined Authorities,  who will develop and test a Healthy Working Lifecycle approach over three years.

The joint effort, developed in response to the Keep Britain Working Review, will drive action to prevent ill-health, support people to stay in work, and help employers build healthier, more resilient workplaces.

The Mayfield Review shows how keeping people healthy and in work is essential for economic growth, individual wellbeing, and reducing the unsustainable costs of economic inactivity – connecting directly with the Milburn Review’s focus on breaking down barriers for young people not in education, employment or training.

The Mayfield Review also highlights:

• UK employment among disabled people stands at 53%, below leading OECD nations
• Employers lose £85 billion a year from sickness, turnover, and lost productivity