On the road: IOSH at party conferences

Ceri Finnegan, IOSH's Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, attended three UK political party conferences. She explores the value of attending these events.

Each autumn, the UK political calendar shifts into conference season. The UK’s main political parties hold their annual conferences. These bring together ministers, MPs, councillors, party members, journalists, campaigners and organisations from across society. For IOSH, attending these conferences is a vital opportunity to make sure that occupational safety and health (OSH) is raised in national debates.

This year, we’ve been on the road. First stop was Bournemouth for the Liberal Democrats, then onto Liverpool for Labour and, finally, Manchester for the Conservatives.

Why attend party conferences?

Party conferences are more than political gatherings. They are the places where future policies are tested, ideas are debated and relationships are built. Attending all three ensures IOSH’s messages reach across the political spectrum, helping to inform and influence thinking whichever party forms the next government or opposition. We can highlight the value of the OSH profession, raising its profile at the highest level.

It’s also a chance to connect directly with policy makers, parliamentarians, think tanks, trade unions, business leaders and journalists in one place.

"Through meetings and fringe events, we can discuss practical solutions to the challenges facing the workforce and the economy, from ill health and absenteeism to the skills and productivity gap."

Ceri Finnegan

Job role: Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager; •
Company: IOSH

Fixing sick Britain and the Mayfield review

Across all three conferences, a central theme has been how to get Britain working again. There is broad agreement on the need to reduce sickness absence among workers by supporting people to stay in or return to work. Good occupational health and safety is at the heart of this mission.

This aligns closely with our new report, Fixing sick Britain: getting people back to work through good occupational health and safety. The report highlights that one in six workers are not confident their employer would support them if they developed a long-term physical health condition. Meanwhile one in five believe they wouldn’t be supported by their employer if they had poor mental health.

The report calls for stronger occupational health systems, greater support for small and medium-sized businesses, and a focus on prevention, not just treatment. This was published ahead of Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review. The review is exploring how to help more people that are unwell or disabled to enter and remain in work.

IOSH held a fringe event at Labour Party Conference. We wanted to highlight how good OSH and occupational health can support the Government in meeting its target.

Looking ahead

With 2.8 million working-age adults currently out of work due to ill health, costing the economy an estimated £150 billion a year, there’s growing recognition that the UK cannot overlook health and safety at work. The conversations we’ve had in Bournemouth, Liverpool and Manchester have shown that this is an issue that cuts across politics. Every party wants to see a healthier, more productive workforce.

As conference season ends, IOSH will continue to build on these discussions. We’ll ensure the insights from our members and the evidence from our research inform the next steps of the Mayfield review and wider Government plans to “get Britain working” through the offer of good work and supportive prevention-first OSH and occupational health systems.